Anisotropic Mantle: Advancing Models of Regional Flow and Associated Seismic Signature

地幔流动是热量和物质在地球深部和我们居住的地表之间传递的关键过程。确定这种流动模式的几种方法之一是测量地震各向异性--一种表明波在一个方向上的传播比另一个方向快的指标。各向异性可以与地幔流联系起来，因为构成地幔的矿物在受到剪切力时倾向于缓慢排列，并且它们排列的方向通常比横向具有更快的地震波速度。在该项目中，先前的实验室岩石变形结果将与区域流动的计算机模拟相结合，其中构造板块的运动产生使地幔岩石变形的力。需要解决的新问题是，矿物的排列是否会显著地破坏或削弱地幔，以及这是否会影响流动的整体模式，从而潜在地改变交换机制，如岩浆的产生。沿沿着地球表面传播的地震波非常适合于记录各向异性随深度的变化。该项目的第二个方面是确定最佳的面波数据分析方法，用于检测复杂的各向异性模式，例如预计在构造板块边界附近发展的模式。一套数值模型将阐明流动诱导的纹理化对上地幔粘性结构的影响，以及它对流动模式发展的影响程度，以及相关的地震信号 本研究的地球动力学部分的主要进展是在上地幔流动模型中明确地包含各向异性流变学。 一个多尺度（纳米-100公里），链接的数值程序是必需的，更新现有的程序是努力的一个组成部分。 流动建模将强调远离海洋扩张中心的演化，但对流动结构与地震各向异性模式/幅度之间关系的见解将与其他环境（如夏威夷羽流和俯冲带）相关。这项研究的新地震学模型将记录表面波色散如何取决于（弹性）各向异性的分布。这一点以前没有被研究过地幔流和纹理的关联模型，但它是一个关键方面，特别是考虑到现在可以获得的地震阵列数据。 在板块边界和板内热点约1000 km范围内的预期各向异性结构的复杂性要求进行全套体波和表面波分析，以识别具有最小可能非唯一性的结构。与此同时，需要对地震波在垂直和横向结构不断变化的情况下的潜在偏差和分辨率极限进行定量评估。通过提供一套强大的正演模型，我们将为地震数据分析期间可以应用的反演方法奠定基础。

Flow within the mantle is the key process by which heat and material are transferred between the deep Earth and the surface we live on. One of the few ways of determining the pattern of this flow is to measure seismic anisotropy- an indication that propagation of waves occurs faster in one direction than another. Anisotropy can be linked to mantle flow because minerals that make up the mantle tend to slowly align when subjected to shear forces and the direction they align typically has faster seismic wave speeds compared to the cross direction. In this project, prior laboratory rock deformation results will be combined with computer simulations of regional flow, where motion of tectonic plates generates the forces to deform mantle rocks. The new question to be addressed is whether alignment of minerals can significantly stiffen, or weaken, the mantle and whether this may influence the overall pattern of flow, thus potentially altering exchange mechanisms such as production of magma. Seismic waves that travel along Earths surface are well suited for documenting the variation in anisotropy with depth. A secondary aspect of the project is to determine optimum surface wave data analysis methods for detecting complex patterns of anisotropy such as are expected to develop near tectonic plate boundaries.A suite of numerical models will elucidate the effects that flow-induced texturing can have on the viscosity structure of the upper mantle and the extent to which it influences the pattern of flow that develops, as well as the associated seismic signatures. The main advance that the geodynamical part of this study will provide is explicit inclusion of anisotropic rheology in models of upper mantle flow. A multi-scale (nanometer-100's km), linked numerical procedure is required and updates to existing programs are an integral part of the effort. The flow modeling will emphasize evolution away from an oceanic spreading center, but insights on the relationships between flow structure and the patterns/magnitudes of seismic anisotropy will be relevant to other settings such as the Hawaiian plume and subduction zones. The new seismological modeling for this study will document how surface wave dispersion depends on the distribution of (elastic) anisotropy. This has not been studied previously for linked models of mantle flow and texturing but it is a key aspect, especially in light of seismic array data that are now becoming available. The complexity of expected anisotropic structure within ~1000 km of plate boundaries and intraplate hotspots require that the full suite of body and surface wave analyses be performed in order to discern structure with the minimum possible non-uniqueness. At the same time, a quantitative assessment of the potential bias and limits of resolution is needed for seismic waves in settings where both vertical and lateral structure vary continuously. By providing a strong suite of forward models, we will set the stage for inverse approaches that can be applied during seismic data analysis.