Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B000095/1
Imaging slabs in the mid- and lower mantle
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr C Thomas, University of Liverpool, Earth Surface Dynamics
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor A Rietbrock, University of Liverpool, Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Liverpool, Earth Surface Dynamics
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Properties Of Earth Materials
- Tectonic Processes
- Mantle & Core Processes
- Abstract:
- This project will address one of the main questions of deep mantle geophysics: whether or not slabs can sink into the lowermost mantle and specifically their depth extent, geometry, and physical behaviour during descent, which is still under debate in recent literature. We aim to provide the first conclusive evidence for the penetration of subducted lithosphere into the mid- and lower mantle, following the descent of slabs on their way towards the core. We will do this by using high-resolution 3D seismic array techniques to investigate seismic waves that reflect off the sides of a slab, thereby producing out-of-plane arrivals. In combination with full seismic waveform modelling techniques and ray tracing we will investigate the physical behaviour of slab material by studying the seismic velocity structures they exhibit in the mid- and lower mantle. This study will also enable us to determine whether, and how quickly, slabs warm up, and whether or not the observed seismic structures in the lowermost mantle are caused by subduction processes. The results will provide important constraints on geodynamic modelling, seismology of the deep Earth, physics and chemistry of deep Earth materials, and core-mantle coupling. Only through the use of seismic arrays and especially migration is this study possible, and up to recently, the available dataset was not extensive enough to carry out this project.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B000095/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £206,517
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £7,278 | £118,736 | £1,040 | £8,284 | £71,178 |
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