Resolution tests of global geodynamic models by travel-time tomography

Authors: Behounkova, M.¹; Cizkova, H.²; Matyska, C.²

Source: Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica, Volume 49, Number 3, July 2005 , pp. 343-363(21)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This study presents results of a 2-D tomographic inversion of synthetic data that examines the ability of seismic tomography to reveal structures created by mantle dynamic processes. Our seismic velocity anomaly model is based on the density heterogeneities obtained from models of thermal and thermo-chemical convection. Both layered and whole-mantle models are employed to produce the synthetic input anomalies. We investigate the resolving power of the inversion of P and pP arrival times, and assess the influence of parameterisation and regularisation (damping). We show that the effect of regularisation is substantial and that the optimum damping depends upon the wavelength of the input structures. The resolution of the inversion decreases considerably at depths greater than 1000 km, therefore the ability of the kinematic inversion to distinguish between whole-mantle and layered flows (coupled via thermal coupling) may be limited.

Keywords: seismic tomography; synthetic inversion; resolution tests

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11200-005-0014-4

Affiliations: 1: Dept. Geophys., Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holesovickach 2, 182 00, Prague 8, Czech Republic, Email: behounek@karel.troja.mff.cuni.cz 2: Dept. Geophys., Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holesovickach 2, 182 00, Prague 8, Czech Republic,

Publication date: 2005-07-01