[S-IT22] [EE] Interaction and Coevolution of the Core and Mantle in the Earth and Planets

[SIT22-P29] Local strong slow S-wave anomalies at western edge of Pacific LLSVP

*Masayuki Obayashi¹, Fenglin Niu², Junko Yoshimitsu¹ (1.Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2.Department of Earth Science, Rice University)

Keywords:core mantle boundary, LLSVP, ScS wave, SKS wave

Seismic tomography studies have revealed two broad slow shear-wave speed anomalies regions beneath the Pacific and Africa called as LLSVPs (Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces). There are geographic correlations between the LLSVPs and hotspots, and the LLSVPs could probably play an important role for convection throughout the mantle and thermal structure and evolution of the earth. The LLSVPs have been considered to be heterogeneous in composition since the boundaries between the normal mantle are sharp. To investigate the details of the sharp LLSVP edge we measure ScS–S and SKS–S differential traveltimes in the hypocentral distance of about 60 – 90° using Japanese and Chinese seismic networks. We found anomalously large (more than 5 sec) ScS – S travel times accompanying normal SKS – S travel times, suggesting local strong slow region in the vicinity of the ScS bounce points (red circles in Figure 1). Such ScS bounce points locate to the northeast of New Guinea Island extending over 20 degrees in NE-SW direction. However below New Guinea Island, both ScS – S and SKS – S travel times are normal (green circles in Figure 1), indicating abrupt end of the local strong slow anomalies.