Abstract
Seismic waves passing through the middle of the Earth travel slightly faster in a N – S direction than in an E – W direction. A comparison of travel times for different P-wave phases shows that most of this anomaly is within the inner core, and that uniform anisotropy of the inner core is the most likely cause.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clayton, R. W. & Comer, R. P. Trans. Am. geophys. Un. 64, 776 (1983).
Dziewonski, A. M. J. geophys. Res. 89, 5929–5952 (1984).
Creager, K. C. & Jordan, T. H. Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 1497–1500 (1986).
Morelli, A. & Dziewonski, A. M. Nature 325, 678–683 (1987).
Poupinet, G., Pillet, R. & Souriau, A. Nature 305, 204–206 (1983).
Morelli, A., Dziewonski, A. M. & Woodhouse, J. H. Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 1545–1548 (1986).
Ritzwoller, M., Masters, G. & Gilbert, F. J. geophys. Res. 91, 10203–10228 (1986).
Woodhouse, J. H., Giardini, D. & Li, X.-D. Geophys. Res. Lett. 13, 1549–1552 (1986).
Giardini, D., Li, X.-D. & Woodhouse, J. H. Nature 325, 405–411 (1987).
Dziewonski, A. M. & Anderson, D. L. Phys. Earth planet. Inter. 25, 297–356 (1981).
Toy, K. M., Olson, A. H. & Orcutt, J. A. Trans. Am. geophys. Un. 67, 1099 (1986).
Gudmundsson, O., Clayton, R. W. & Anderson, D. L. Trans. Am. geophys. Un. 68, 1378 (1987).
Backus, G. E. J. geophys. Res. 70, 3429–3439 (1965).
Crampin, S. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 49, 9–27 (1977).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shearer, P., Toy, K. & Orcutt, J. Axi-symmetric Earth models and inner-core anisotropy. Nature 333, 228–232 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/333228a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/333228a0
This article is cited by
-
Seismic evidence for distinct anisotropy in the innermost inner core
Nature Geoscience (2008)
-
Hemispherical variations in seismic velocity at the top of the Earth's inner core
Nature (2001)
-
Anisotropy of iron in the Earth's inner core
Nature (1999)
-
Elasticity and rheology of iron above 220 GPa and the nature of the Earth's inner core
Nature (1998)
-
Seismological evidence for differential rotation of the Earth's inner core
Nature (1996)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.