CSEDI: Collaborative Research: Toward a Comprehensive Model of Mantle Flow & Seismic Anisotropy in the Western US - Using Mineral Physics to Directly link Geodynamics & Se

地震各向异性和地幔流动之间的定量关系对于我们进一步了解地球地幔的表面构造和对流是很重要的。研究人员提出了一种联合方法：计算区域地球动力学流动模型，将导出的有限应变与纹理的矿物物理计算进行比较，并进行地震学建模，以找到与观测兼容的各向异性的应变和纹理预测。他们努力回答以下问题：应变、地幔流和各向异性在方向和大小上是如何相关的？ 深对流与岩石圈的耦合程度如何？ 实验室变形实验的结果能应用于地幔在低得多的应变率下的行为吗？美国西部是这一项目理想的天然试验场，因为地震和大地测量数据的密度是全世界最高的，因此具有良好的横向和深度分辨率，在“地球镜”项目期间将进一步提高。拟议的研究还将有助于规划今后部署地震仪器，特别是在美国西部板块边界地区。资金将用于支持两名女性PI和两名从事自主项目的初级研究人员的职业发展。在资助期结束时，PI希望为社区提供纹理形成算法和应变-各向异性关系的真实测试，以及解释地震观测的地球动力学各向异性的定量指南。

Quantifying the relationship between seismic anisotropy and mantle flow is important for advancing our understanding of surface tectonics and convection in the Earth's mantle. The investigators propose a joint approach: to calculate regional geodynamic flow models, compare derived finite strain to mineral physics calculations of texture, and perform seismological modeling to find both strain and texture predictions for anisotropy that are compatible with observations. They strive to answer the following questions: How are strain, mantle flow, and anisotropy related, in orientation and in magnitude? To what degree are deep convective currents coupled to the lithosphere? Can results from laboratory deformation experiments be applied to the behavior of the mantle at much lower strain rates? The western United States are an ideal natural test-bed for this project since the density of seismic and geodetic data is one of the highest worldwide, allowing for good lateral and depth resolution, which will increase further during the Earthscope efforts. The proposed study will also be useful for planning the future deployment of seismic instrumentation, in particular within the western United States plate boundary region. Funding will provide support for two female PIs and for the career development of two junior researchers working on a self-directed project. At the end of the funding period, the PIs expect to provide the community with a real-world test of texture formation algorithms and strain-anisotropy relationships, and with a quantitative guide to the interpretation of seismological observations of anisotropy with respect to geodynamics.