Predicting a Global Perovskite and Post-Perovskite Phase Boundary

Daoyuan Sun, Don Helmberger, Xiaodong Song, Stephen P. Grand

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

A lower mantle S-wave triplication with a Scd branch occurring between S and ScS has been recognized for many years with a variety of explanations. It is particularly strong when sampling regions beneath the circum-Pacific lower mantle fast velocity belt seen in global tomographic models where it has been modeled with a 2-3% jump in S-velocity. General properties are (1) it tends to arrive earlier beneath the fastest anomalies and (2) its rapid changes in strength and timing relative to S. The recently discovered Perovskite (Pv) to Post-perovskite (PPv) phase transition [Murakami et al., 2004] is expected to show this change in timing assuming a positive Clapeyron slope (Γ) between 3 to 9 MPa/K; however, the predicted velocity jump is about half of the above 1D modeling results. Here we model the phase boundary height by mapping S-wave tomography into temperature assuming uniform chemistry, or a Mono-Phase-Transition (MPT), and a more complex mapping procedure involving possible changes in Chemistry (CPT). A few adjustable parameters involving reference phase boundary height and velocity jump are determined from comparing synthetic seismogram predictions with densely sampled observations. Particularly strong Scd data are explained by focusing effects caused by small zones of enhanced velocities (slab buckling) seen in some tomographic models. These sharp features in S-wave tomography are confirmed by the behavior of differential PKP (AB-DF) which shows 4 s changes over a distance of 300 km correlating well with the corresponding S-wave models beneath Central America. Thus adding 3D propagational effects caused by these structures to the Pv to PPv velocity jump predicted from mineral physics appears to generate results compatible with Scd waveform observations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPost-Perovskite
Subtitle of host publicationThe Last Mantle Phase Transition
PublisherWiley
Pages155-170
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9781118666401
ISBN (Print)9780875904399
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 19 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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