Evidences for a low-velocity core-mantle transition zone

Using the spectral ratios $\text{P}\text{PcP}\text{,}\text{ScS}{}_{\mathrm{n+1}}\text{ScS}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{,}\text{sScS}{}_{\mathrm{n+1}}\text{sScS}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{and}\text{SKS}\text{ScS}$, models for the core-mantle boundary are found. The models have close similarity with each other, implying an irregular surface with lateral variation in the core-mantle properties. The models are characterized by two to four low-velocity, high-density layers imbedded between the mantle and the core half space. The velocities of the imbedded layers decrease towards the core boundary with a lower bound of 9.3 km/sec for the compressional wave and 3.5 km/sec for the shear wave. The models fitted to the empirical data support the hypothesis of a finite rigid outer core with a higher bound for the shear velocity of 1.4 km/sec. Based on this finite rigidity in the outer core and a layered core-mantle transition zone, the value of Q for the whole mantle is 2,000. For the outer core Q ranges from 100–1,000 , which may indicate that it is chemically zoned.