Abstract
The derivation of P and S velocities at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) from long-period diffracted waves by the use of the simple ray-theoretical formulav CMB=r c /p (v CMB=velocity at the CMB;r c =core radius;p=ray parameter) yields apparent velocity values which differ from the true velocities. Using a dominant period of about 20 sec for calculating theoretical seismograms, we found a linear relation between the apparent velocity and the average velocity in a transition zone at the base of the mantle with fixed velocity on top.
The ray parameters determined from long-period earthquake data are found to be 4.540±0.035 and 8.427±0.072 sec/deg for Pdiff and Sdiff, respectively. These values yield apparent velocities of 13.378±0.103 for P and 7.207±0.062 km/sec for S waves. By means of the theoretical relation between apparent and average velocity and under the assumption of linear variation of velocity with depth, one can invert the apparent velocities into true CMB velocities of 13.736±0.170 and 7.320±0.124 km/sec. These results imply positive velocity gradients at the base of the mantle and hence no significant departures from adiabaticity and homogeneity.
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Contribution No. 211 of the Geophysical Institute, University of Karlsruhe.
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Mula, A.H., Müller, G. Ray parameters of diffracted long period P and S waves and the velocities at the base of the mantle. PAGEOPH 118, 1272–1292 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01593067
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01593067