Seismological constraints on the structure of the Earth's core

Abstract

Our knowledge of the Earth's core has improved dramatically since its discovery, and this chapter attempts to provide a review of the current understanding as constrained by seismological observations.We also illustrate difficulties in studying this region, and uncertainties in the constraints.Ashort discussion of seismic data used to investigate the core is followed by sections focusing on properties of the outer core, the inner-core boundary, and the inner core. The range of observed values for compressional and shear wave speeds, density, and attenuation are presented. © 2007 Springer.