Display options
Cite
Shephard GE, Matthews KJ, Hosseini K, et al. On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):10976doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w.
Shephard, G. E., Matthews, K. J., Hosseini, K., & Domeier, M. (2017). On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs. Scientific reports, 7(1), 10976. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w
Shephard, G E, et al. "On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs." Scientific reports vol. 7,1 (2017): 10976. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w
Shephard GE, Matthews KJ, Hosseini K, Domeier M. On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs. Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 08;7(1):10976. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w. PMID: 28887461; PMCID: PMC5591187.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 08;7(1):10976. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w.

On the consistency of seismically imaged lower mantle slabs.

Scientific reports

G E Shephard, K J Matthews, K Hosseini, M Domeier

Affiliations

  1. Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED), Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. [email protected].
  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, United Kingdom.
  3. Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics (CEED), Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 28887461 PMCID: PMC5591187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11039-w

Abstract

The geoscience community is increasingly utilizing seismic tomography to interpret mantle heterogeneity and its links to past tectonic and geodynamic processes. To assess the robustness and distribution of positive seismic anomalies, inferred as subducted slabs, we create a set of vote maps for the lower mantle with 14 global P-wave or S-wave tomography models. Based on a depth-dependent threshold metric, an average of 20% of any given tomography model depth is identified as a potential slab. However, upon combining the 14 models, the most consistent positive wavespeed features are identified by an increasing vote count. An overall peak in the most robust anomalies is found between 1000-1400 km depth, followed by a decline to a minimum around 2000 km. While this trend could reflect reduced tomographic resolution in the middle mantle, we show that it may alternatively relate to real changes in the time-dependent subduction flux and/or a mid-lower mantle viscosity increase. An apparent secondary peak in agreement below 2500 km depth may reflect the degree-two lower mantle slow seismic structures. Vote maps illustrate the potential shortcomings of using a limited number or type of tomography models and slab threshold criteria.

References

  1. Nature. 2013 Apr 4;496(7443):50-6 - PubMed
  2. Sci Adv. 2015 Dec 10;1(11):e1500815 - PubMed
  3. Science. 1999 Mar 19;283(5409):1885-8 - PubMed
  4. Science. 2008 Nov 7;322(5903):934-8 - PubMed
  5. Science. 2010 Aug 27;329(5995):1033-8 - PubMed
  6. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci. 2002 Nov 15;360(1800):2475-91 - PubMed
  7. Science. 1987 Apr 3;236(4797):37-48 - PubMed
  8. Nature. 2007 Mar 15;446(7133):308-11 - PubMed
  9. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Mar 25;111(12):4380-5 - PubMed
  10. Science. 2009 Apr 10;324(5924):224-6 - PubMed

Publication Types