Global Mantle P-Wave Tomography Model With Finite-Frequency Kernels

GAP_P4 is a whole mantle P wave tomographic model developed by Obayashi et al. and Fukao and Obayashi, published in 2013. The model integrates over 10 million short-period onset times and more than 20 thousand long-period differential travel times measured via waveform cross-correlation. It represents an update to the earlier GAP_P2 model, with noted improvements in imaging the transition zone and uppermost lower mantle beneath specific oceanic regions.

Use Cases

• Analyzing P-wave velocity anomalies to map subducted slab structures in the mantle, particularly beneath the South China Sea and southern Philippine Sea.
• Comparing finite-frequency kernel tomography results against models based on classical ray theory using the integrated short-period and long-period datasets.
• Investigating mantle structure in regions with poor station coverage by leveraging data from broadband ocean bottom seismometers (BBOBSs) deployed in the western Pacific Ocean.
• Studying the transition zone and uppermost lower mantle by utilizing the model's improvements over the previous GAP_P2 version.

Strengths

• Integrates a large volume of seismic data, including over 10 million short-period onset time picks.
• Incorporates more than 20,000 long-period differential travel time measurements from waveform cross-correlation.
• Employs finite-frequency kernels calculated at corresponding frequency bands, offering an advanced interpretation compared to classical ray theory.
• Demonstrates specific improvements in imaging for the transition zone and uppermost lower mantle beneath the western Pacific Ocean.

Limitations

• The dataset is from 2013 and may not reflect the most recent seismic observations or methodological advances.
• Specific data formats, row counts, column definitions, and file sizes are not provided in the available description.
• The model's resolution and utility are likely highest in regions with BBOBS deployments, potentially creating geographic bias.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS, referenced in the context of NASA's Earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Developed from seismic data including short-period onset times and long-period differential travel times measured by waveform cross-correlation, processed with finite-frequency kernels.

Time Range

The model was published in 2013; the temporal coverage of the underlying seismic data is not specified.

Freshness

Last updated in 2013.

Geography

Global whole mantle coverage, with specific noted improvements for the western Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea and southern Philippine Sea.