Six Unusual Structures Identified at Earth's Core-Mantle Boundary with the Help of Deep Learning

Six unusual structures identified at Earth's core-mantle boundary with the help of deep learning

Since scientists can't drill 2,900 km (1,800 miles) to the boundary between Earth's core and deep mantle, they must use information relayed by seismic waves recorded during earthquakes to study this region. In a new study published in the journal JGR Solid Earth, a group of scientists used deep learning to study a large set of a specific type of seismic wave. The analysis revealed six continuous bands of irregularities at the core-mantle boundar…

Mysterious Heterogeneities at Earth's Core-Mantle Boundary Hint at Hidden Forces Shaping Surface Catastrophes

Machine learning applied to millions of seismic records has uncovered 175,000 PKP precursor signals and six previously unknown heterogeneities at the core-mantle boundary. These small-scale structures may link ancient slabs, partial melts and giant mantle blobs, with implications for heat flow, volcanism and earthquake generation. The findings expand maps of Earth's deepest interior and set new targets for exploration.