scholarly journals Calculated travel times of seismic core waves*

1955 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-195
Author(s):  
R. D. Forester
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Grazing Incidence ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Continuous Functions ◽  
Fair Agreement ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Times

Abstract Travel times for the seismic core waves, PKP, PKS, and SKS, were computed by integration along the travel paths. For this purpose the velocity distribution within the earth was broken into segments which were represented by continuous functions. Except for rays of grazing incidence to the outer core the times calculated for PKP and PKS are intermediate between the smoothed times given by Jeffreys and times based upon recent observed data. The times calculated for SKS are in fair agreement with the smoothed times given by Jeffreys.

The velocities in the outer core

1971 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 1051-1059
Author(s):  
A. L. Hales ◽  
J. L. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Lower Limit ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Time Of Arrival ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Mantle Boundary ◽  
Core Mantle Boundary ◽  
The Core ◽  
Arc Distance ◽  
The Difference

abstract Earlier studies of the velocity distribution in the outer core have been based on the travel times of SKS.SKS arrivals can only be observed satisfactorily for arc distances at the surface greater than 85°. This lower limit of observation of SKS corresponds to an arc distance of 40.2° within the core. Thus the velocities in the outermost 250 km of the core are based upon an extrapolation. We have used observations of the difference in time of arrival of SKKS and SKS to obtain core travel times extending the range of observation down to a Δ within the core of about 14°. The velocity distribution thus found is significantly lower than those of Jeffreys (Bullen, 1963) and Randall (in press) near the core mantle boundary.

scholarly journals Longitudinal waves through the Earth's Core*

1952 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-134
Author(s):  
M. E. Denson
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Distribution ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Epicentral Distance ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Longitudinal Waves ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Waves

Abstract Amplitudes, periods, and travel times of the longitudinal P′ or PKP core waves have been investigated. Results indicate that the epicentral distance of the main focal point and the travel time of P′ phases vary with the periods of the waves. This variation would seem reasonably explained in terms of dispersion. The point of reversal in the travel-time curve of the waves through the outer core is believed to lie near 157°. Data suggest a discontinuity between 120° and 125° rather than 110°. Anomalies existing in energy, period, and travel-time relationships of the P′ phases indicate that current concepts of velocity distribution and of propagation paths within the core are in need of modification.

Tidal excitation of hydromagnetic waves and their damping in the Earth

1994 ◽  
Vol 274 ◽  
pp. 219-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Kerswell
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Wave Disturbance ◽  
Instability Mechanism ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Elliptical Instability ◽  
Hydromagnetic Waves

We examine the possibility that the Earth's outer core, as a tidally distorted fluid-filled rotating spheroid, may be the seat of an elliptical instability. The instability mechanism is described within the framework of a simple Earth-like model. The preferred forms of wave disturbance are explored and a likely growth rate supremum deduced. Estimates are made of the Ohmic and viscous decay rates of such hydromagnetic waves in the outer core. Rather than a conclusive disparity of scales, we find that typical elliptical growth rates, Ohmic decay rates and viscous decay rates all have the same order for plausible core fields and core-to-mantle conductivities. This study is all the more timely considering the recent realization that the Earth's precession may also drive similar instabilities at comparable strengths in the outer core.

ELECTRIC EARTH TRANSIENTS IN GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING

Geophysics ◽  
1936 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Statham
Keyword(s):  
Electric Current ◽  
Salt Dome ◽  
Geophysical Prospecting ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Electrical Methods ◽  
The Times

A suddenly applied electric current is passed through the earth by means of spaced electrodes. The form of the potential transient as it appears outside the current electrodes is studied. The potential transient is extremely rapid and refined methods of recording are necessary. Means for measuring the relative times of the transient potentials received from different points are discussed. A survey taken over a known deep salt dome is shown; anomalous times of the transients are found to exist over the dome. No correlation is seen between the times of the transients and the resistivity as found by ordinary electrical methods.

scholarly journals STATISTICAL LITERACY AS THE EARTH MOVES

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-37
Author(s):  
CHRIS J. WILD
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Statistics Education ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Data Display ◽  
Statistical Literacy ◽  
Bob Dylan ◽  
Research Journal ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Times ◽  
Seismic Forces

“The Times They Are a-Changin’” says the old Bob Dylan song. But it is not just the times that are a-changin’. For statistical literacy, the very earth is moving under our feet (apologies to Carole King). The seismic forces are (i) new forms of communication and discourse and (ii) new forms of data, data display and human interaction with data. These upheavals in the worlds of communication and data are ongoing. If anything, the pace of change is accelerating. And with it, what it means to be statistically literate is also changing. So how can we tell what is important? We will air some enduring themes and guiding principles. First published May 2017 at Statistics Education Research Journal Archives

A new analytical method for finding the upper mantle velocity structure from P and S wave travel times of deep earthquakes

1969 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 755-769
Author(s):  
K. L. Kaila
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Focal Depth ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
S Wave ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Wave Travel ◽  
Deep Focus ◽  
Mantle Velocity

abstract A new analytical method for the determination of velocity at the hypocenter of a deep earthquake has been developed making use of P- and S-wave travel times. Unlike Gutenberg's method which is graphical in nature, the present method makes use of the least square technique and as such it yields more quantitative estimates of the velocities at depth. The essential features of this method are the determination from the travel times of a deep-focus earthquake the lower and upper limits Δ1 and Δ2 respectively of the epicentral distance between which p = (dT/dΔ) in the neighborhood of inflection point can be considered stationary so that the travel-time curve there can be approximated to a straight line T = pΔ + a. From p = (1/v*) determined from the straight line least-square fit made on the travel-time observation points between Δ1 and Δ2 for various focal depths, upper-mantle velocity structure can be obtained by making use of the well known relation v = v*(r0 − h)/r0, h being the focal depth of the earthquake, r0 the radius of the Earth, v* the apparent velocity at the point of inflection and v the true velocity at that depth. This method not only gives an accurate estimate of p, at the same time it also yields quite accurate value of a which is a function of focal depth. Calibration curves can be drawn between a and the focal depth h for various regions of the Earth where deep focus earthquakes occur, and these calibration curves can then be used with advantage to determine the focal depths of deep earthquakes in those areas.

Revised velocities in the Earth's core

1973 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 1073-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Qamar
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Zone Boundary ◽  
Underground Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Nuclear Explosions ◽  
Core Boundary ◽  
Velocity Jump

abstract Travel times and amplitudes of PKP and PKKP from three earthquakes and four underground nuclear explosions are presented. Observations of reflected core waves at nearly normal angles of incidence provide new constraints on the average velocities in the inner and outer core. Interpretation of these data suggests that several small but significant changes to Bolt's (1962) core velocity model (T2) are necessary. A revised velocity model KOR5 is given together with the derived travel times that are consistent with the 1968 tables for P. Model KOR5 possesses a velocity in the transition zone which is 112 per cent lower than that in model T2. In addition, KOR5 has a velocity jump at the transition zone boundary (r = 1782 km) of 0.013 km/sec and a jump at the inner core boundary (r = 1213 km) of 0.6 km/sec. These values are, respectively, 1/20 and 2/3 of the corresponding model T2 values.

Constraints on core composition from shock-waves data

1982 ◽  
Vol 306 (1492) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Equations Of State ◽  
Liquid Core ◽  
Light Element ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Atomic Ratio ◽  
Core Material ◽  
Solar Photosphere ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Core Composition

Seismic data demonstrate that the density of the liquid core is some 8-10 % less than pure iron. Equations of state of Fe-Si, C, FeS 2 , FeS, KFeS 2 and FeO, over the pressure interval 133-364 GPa and a range of possible core temperatures (3500- 5000 K), can be used to place constraints on the cosmochemically plausible light element constituents of the core (Si, C, S, K and O ). The seismically derived density profile allows from 14 to 20 % Si (by mass) in the outer core. The inclusion of Si, or possibly G (up to 11 %), in the core is possible if the Earth accreted inhomogeneously within a region of the solar nebulae in which a C :0 (atomic) ratio of about 1 existed, compared with a G : O ratio of 0.6 for the present solar photosphere. In contrast, homogeneous accretion permits Si, but not C, to enter the core by means of reduction of silicates to metallic Fe-Si core material during the late stages of the accumulation of the Earth. The data from the equation of state for the iron sulphides allow up to 9-13 % S in the core. This composition would provide the entire Earth with a S:Si ratio in the range 0.14-0.3, comparable with meteoritic and cosmic abundances. Shock-wave data for KFeS 2 give little evidence for an electronic phase change from 4s to 3d orbitals, which has been suggested to occur in K, and allow the Earth to store a cosmic abundance of K in the metallic core.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document