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Geosciences
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Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth
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Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth

A special issue of Geosciences (ISSN 2076-3263).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2025) | Viewed by 7240

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jonathan Wolf

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
2. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
Interests: geophysics; global seismology; mantle dynamics; deep Earth
Prof. Dr. Edward Garnero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
Interests: geophysics; global seismology; Earth and planetary interiors; deep Earth geophysics
Prof. Dr. Samantha E. Hansen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
Interests: geophysics; global seismology; Earth’s interior; deep Earth

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite contributions to this Special Issue of Geosciences, entitled “Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth”. Seismic analyses play a central role in elucidating the fundamental structure, dynamics, and evolution of the mantle and core, and investigations over the past few decades have characterized a number of phenomena that are not represented in standard, globally average models of Earth’s radial properties. Examples include upper mantle heterogeneities and anisotropy; fine-scale structures at, above, and below the core–mantle boundary; anisotropy and layering in the lowermost mantle as well as in the inner core; and massive low-velocity provinces in the lower mantle. Such phenomena directly relate to the temperature, chemistry, flow properties, and evolution of the mantle and core, thus motivating seismologists to continue to bring the interior into sharper focus. 

This Special Issue of Geosciences aims to attract seismology-based contributions that elucidate the Earth’s interior, from the deep lithosphere to the center of the planet. Both original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) seismic imaging of the deep lithosphere; subducting slabs; upper and/or lower mantle heterogeneity and anisotropy; D” phenomena; ultra-low-velocity zones; plumes; large low-velocity provinces; the core–mantle boundary region’s fine-scale structure; the outer core’s structure; and the inner core’s structure, heterogeneity, and anisotropy. While we are focused on seismic imaging, multidisciplinary approaches that aid in the interpretation of seismic findings are also welcomed. We anticipate a one-of-a-kind volume that highlights the current state of the seismic imaging of the deep Earth, spanning a wide breadth of methods and data, as well as their implications for the structure, mineralogy, convection, heat flow, and evolution of the Earth.

Prior to submitting a manuscript, we request that interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 150–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send these items to the Guest Editors Jonathan Wolf (Jonathan.wolf@yale.edu), Ed Garnero (garnero@asu.edu), and Sam  Hansen (shansen@ua.edu), or to the Geosciences editorial office (geosciences@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purpose of ensuring a proper fit within the scope of this Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo single-blind peer-review. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Abstract submission deadline:

July 20, 2024.

Notification of abstract acceptance:

August 10, 2024.

Dr. Jonathan Wolf
Prof. Dr. Edward Garnero
Prof. Dr. Samantha E. Hansen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geosciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • deep Earth
  • core
  • sublithospheric mantle
  • Earth structure
  • Earth dynamics
  • Earth history
  • core–mantle boundary
  • outer core
  • seismic imaging

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 10175 KB  
Article
Upwellings and Mantle Ponding Zones in the Lower Mantle Transition Zone (660–1000 km)
by Jean-Paul Montagner, Barbara Romanowicz, Mathurin Wamba and Gael Burgos
Geosciences 2025, 15(11), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15110413 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 694
Abstract
Convective instabilities at various boundary layers in the earth’s mantle—including the core–mantle boundary, mantle transition zone and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary— result in upwellings (mantle plumes) and downwellings (subducting slabs). While hotspot volcanism is traditionally linked to mantle plumes, their structure, origins, evolution, and death [...] Read more.
Convective instabilities at various boundary layers in the earth’s mantle—including the core–mantle boundary, mantle transition zone and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary— result in upwellings (mantle plumes) and downwellings (subducting slabs). While hotspot volcanism is traditionally linked to mantle plumes, their structure, origins, evolution, and death remain subjects of ongoing debate. Recent progress in seismic tomography has revealed a complex plumbing system connecting the core–mantle boundary and the surface. In particular, recent seismic imaging results suggest the presence of large-scale ponding zones between 660 km and ∼1000 km, associated with several mantle plumes around the globe. The broad upwellings originating from the CMB spread laterally beneath the 660 km seismic discontinuity, forming extensive ponding zones several thousand kilometers wide and extending up from an approximately 1000 km depth. Similar ponding zones are also observed for downwellings, with stagnant subducting slabs, within the 660–1000 km depth range. Here, we review evidence for wide ponding zones characterized by low seismic velocities and anomalous radial and azimuthal anisotropies in light of recent high-resolution regional studies below La Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean and below St Helena/Ascension in the southern Atlantic Ocean. We review and discuss possible interpretations of these structures, as well as possible mineralogical, geodynamic implications and outlook for further investigations aiming to improve our understanding of the mantle plumbing system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth)
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32 pages, 3965 KB  
Article
Micropolar Modeling of Shear Wave Dispersion in Marine Sediments and Deep Earth Materials: Deriving Scaling Laws
by Rafael Abreu
Geosciences 2025, 15(4), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15040124 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 963
Abstract
We draw connections between eight different theories used to describe microscopic (atomic) and macroscopic (seismological) scales. In particular, we show that all these different theories belong to a particular case of a single partial differential equation, allowing us to gain new physical insights [...] Read more.
We draw connections between eight different theories used to describe microscopic (atomic) and macroscopic (seismological) scales. In particular, we show that all these different theories belong to a particular case of a single partial differential equation, allowing us to gain new physical insights and draw connection among them. With this general understanding, we apply the micropolar theory to the description of shear-wave dispersion in marine sediments, showing how we can reproduce observations by only using two micropolar parameters in contrast to the seventeen parameters required by modifications of Biot’s theory. We next establish direct connections between the micro (laboratory) and macro (seismological) scales, allowing us to predict (and confirm) the presence of post-perovskite in the lowermost mantle based on laboratory experiments and to predict the characteristic length Lc at which shear deformation becomes significant at seismological scales in the lowermost mantle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth)
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23 pages, 7375 KB  
Article
Evidence of High-Shear-Velocity Anomalies Inside the Pacific LLSVP
by Rafael Abreu, Mariano S. Arnaiz-Rodríguez and Chahana Nagesh
Geosciences 2025, 15(3), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15030102 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2115
Abstract
We present the evidence of high-velocity regions within the Pacific Large Low Seismic Velocity Province (LLSVP), uncovered using the Virtual Receiver Approach (VRA), a novel seismic imaging method that allows us to determine local absolute velocity values of a non-reflecting body wave that [...] Read more.
We present the evidence of high-velocity regions within the Pacific Large Low Seismic Velocity Province (LLSVP), uncovered using the Virtual Receiver Approach (VRA), a novel seismic imaging method that allows us to determine local absolute velocity values of a non-reflecting body wave that are independent of any assumed Earth model. Our results reveal a complex dynamics of high- and low-velocity regions within the Pacific LLSVP. While low-shear-wave velocities dominate, consistent with the traditionally understood nature of LLSVPs, we identify distinct high-velocity anomalies—an observation not previously reported in this region. We interpret these anomalies as lateral compositional variations within the LLSVP. Petrological modeling suggests that high-velocity regions are associated with low FeO content, potentially linked to the inclusion of post-perovskite material driven by mantle convection. Alternatively, remnants of subducted oceanic crust (e.g., Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts) could also explain the observed features. Conversely, low-velocity anomalies correspond to FeO-rich compositions. Our findings highlight the thermochemical heterogeneity of the LLSVP, revealing a more complex internal structure than previously thought. The application of the VRA is able to resolve fine-scale structures that have remained as some of the biggest challenges in global tomographic models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth)
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20 pages, 5913 KB  
Article
The Use of Azimuthal Variation in ScS–S Differential Travel Times to Investigate Possible Anisotropy in the Lowermost Mantle Beneath the Philippines
by Satoru Tanaka
Geosciences 2025, 15(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15020064 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 871
Abstract
We collected approximately 500 ScS–S differential travel times passing beneath the Philippines with various azimuths to discuss whether there were azimuthal variations in the ScS–S time residuals. By correcting for mantle heterogeneity using a three-dimensional (3D) mantle velocity model, we found a large [...] Read more.
We collected approximately 500 ScS–S differential travel times passing beneath the Philippines with various azimuths to discuss whether there were azimuthal variations in the ScS–S time residuals. By correcting for mantle heterogeneity using a three-dimensional (3D) mantle velocity model, we found a large variance reduction in the ScS–S residuals. In addition, the strong negative correlation between the S and ScS–S time residuals was greatly reduced, while the positive correlation between the ScS and ScS–S time residuals moderately improved, indicating that the corrected ScS–S residuals are manifestations of the lower half of the lower mantle structure. Next, we corrected for the local-scale heterogeneity in the lower mantle by subtracting the bin-averaged ScS–S residuals, and we experimented with fitting the trigonometric functions in terms of the propagation azimuth θ to the ScS–S residuals, suggesting that a 2θ variation is significant. If we accept the hypothesis of azimuthal anisotropy in the lowermost mantle, the fastest direction of the S-wave velocity was east-southeast–west-northwest (N97.5° E– N82.5° W), and the amplitude of the azimuthal anisotropy was approximately 1.4% anisotropy if we assume a D″ thickness of 300 km. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth)
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10 pages, 3373 KB  
Article
Antipodal Seismic Observation and Sensitivity Kernel for the Liquid Region on the Earth’s Inner Core
by Seiji Tsuboi and Rhett Butler
Geosciences 2024, 14(12), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14120333 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1412
Abstract
It is considered that a part of the inner core surface where iron in the fluid outer core is precipitated may have melted and formed a mushy region, but its position is not well understood seismologically. We recently analyzed seismic waveforms observed at [...] Read more.
It is considered that a part of the inner core surface where iron in the fluid outer core is precipitated may have melted and formed a mushy region, but its position is not well understood seismologically. We recently analyzed seismic waveforms observed at the antipodal station of the seismic source and showed that there are precursors to the PKIIKP phase reflected beneath the inner core boundary. It has been found that this precursory wave can be modeled as a reflection under the liquid/solid interface at a depth of 100 km below the inner core boundary. Here, we use these precursor waves observed at the antipodal station (>179°). The sensitivity kernel of the amplitude of these precursor waves for the shear wave velocity structure on the inner core surface was calculated by the adjoint method, using theoretical seismic waveforms. Our results might be used to locate regions of the inner core surface where the shear wave velocity may be close to zero. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismology of the Dynamic Deep Earth)
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