When an earthquake strikes, nearby seismometers pick up its vibrations in the form of seismic waves. In addition to revealing the epicenter of a quake, seismic waves can give scientists a way to map the interior structures of the Earth, much like a CT scan images the body.
By measuring the velocity at which seismic waves travel at various depths, scientists can determine the types of rocks and other materials that lie beneath the Earth’s surface. The accuracy of such seismic maps depends on scientists’ understanding of how various materials affect seismic waves’ speeds.
Their findings, published today in the journal Nature, go against a general assumption that seismic imaging can pick up signs of water deep within the Earth’s upper mantle. In fact, the team found that even trace amounts of water have no effect on the speed at which seismic waves travel.
The results may help scientists reinterpret seismic maps of the Earth’s interior. For instance, in places such as...
learn more
