Seismic Velocity and Attention Structures of the Earths Inner and Outer Core

WEN EAR-0207746 The PI proposes a study of seismic velocity and attenuation structures for both the Earth's inner and outer core and their implications for mineral physics and dynamics. The seismic structures will be studied based on the differential travel times and waveforms of various PKP branches collected from the global and regional seismic networks. Seismic studies will be performed for the "eastern" and "western" hemispheres respectively, and in two steps: 1) establish two one-dimensional seismic velocity and attenuation models of the Earth's inner and outer core for the PKP phases sampling equatorial paths; and, 2) constrain anisotropy magnitudes and transitions from a possible top isotropic layer to deep anisotropy in the inner core.