Progress in studies on the structure and physical properties of the mantle in China

Abstract

The studies on the structure and physical properties of the mantle by Chinese geophysicists from 2003 to 2007 are reviewed in this report. It mainly contains studies on the seismic velocity structure of the mantle, anisotropy of the mantle, mantle discontinuities, mantle convection and the physical properties of mantle. The review concerns mainly the contents, the methods used and the results of the studies. It can be found that new progress in the study on the structure and physical properties of mantle has been made in the last four years in China. In some preexistent areas much progress has been made, advanced methods have been adopted, extensive international co-operation has been conducted in many ways, and the scope of the co-operation has gradually expanded. Moreover, some new fields appear as well.