Joint Seismic and Geodynamic Inversion for Whole Mantle Structure

小行星9317176 PI将开发简单的模型描述的大规模横向粘度变化的顶部附近的地幔，并开发简单和计算效率高的理论来处理地幔流变学的地幔粘度是径向依赖除了显着的横向变化附近的顶部。 由于这可能是地幔中最大的横向粘度变化，通过探索这些效应，可以更好地理解横向粘度变化，地幔流和大地水准面之间的耦合。 这些模型将使人们有可能评估（强）大陆地幔柱和（较弱）亚洋软流圈分布对地幔流动的动力学影响。 此外，这些模型将提供有用的基准，以指导我们在一个3-D的球形，变粘度对流代码的发展。 ****

9317176 Phipps Morgan The PI will develop simple model descriptions of large-scale lateral viscosity variation near the top of the mantle, and develop simple and computationally efficient theories to treat mantle rheologies where the mantle viscosity is radially dependent except for significant lateral variation near the top. Since this is likely to be the largest lateral viscosity variation in the mantle, by exploring these effects, one can better understand the coupling between lateral viscosity variations, mantle flow and the geoid. These models will make it possible to assess the dynamical effects of the distribution of (strong) continental cratons and (weaker) sub-oceanic asthenosphere on mantle flow. In addition, these models will provide useful benchmarks to guide us in the development of a 3-D spherical, variable viscosity convection code. ****