Joint Seismic and Geodynamic Inversion for Whole Mantle Structure

9317176菲普斯·摩根PI将开发简单的模式描述地幔顶部附近的大范围横向粘度变化，并开发简单和计算有效的理论来处理地幔粘度除了顶部附近的显著横向变化外是径向相关的地幔流变学。由于这可能是地幔最大的横向粘度变化，通过研究这些影响，人们可以更好地了解横向粘度变化、地幔流动和大地水准面之间的耦合。这些模型将有可能评估(强的)大陆克拉通和(弱的)次大洋软流圈分布对地幔流动的动力学影响。此外，这些模式将提供有用的基准来指导我们开发三维球面、可变粘度对流程序。****

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. ****