Unveiling Earth's Lower Mantle: Insights from Seismological Study

A research team led by Professor Wu Zhongqing from the University of Science and Technology of China has made significant progress in understanding the composition and thermal state of the Earth's lower mantle. By combining seismic tomography and mineral elasticity, they determined the spatial distribution of materials and temperatures in the lower mantle. Their findings revealed a Gaussian pattern of temperature distribution with minimal variations within a depth range of 1,600 kilometers, but widening distribution as depth increases. The study also identified the presence of large-scale low shear wave velocity provinces (LLSVPs) and their association with thermal anomalies and enriched concentrations of iron and bridgmanite. These insights contribute to our understanding of the Earth's deep structure and its formation, evolution, and dynamics.