Rayleigh-wave evidence for the low-velocity zone in the mantle

Variational calculus methods are applied to the problem of dispersion of mantle Rayleigh waves. In the present paper we have worked two models. One is Gutenberg's model with a low-velocity layer around 150 km. depth. The other is a Jeffreys-Bullen model modified above 200 km. depth so as to join smoothly to the explosion-determined velocities just under the Mohorovičić discontinuity. No low-velocity layer is assumed in this model. Both models give almost identical theoretical dispersion curves which agree well with the Ewing-Press observations of mantle Rayleigh waves for periods longer than 250 sec. This result means that the minimum group velocity at about 250 sec. is mainly due to a sharp increase of shear velocity at about 400 km. depth, which is a common feature for the two models. For periods shorter than 250 sec. Gutenberg's model gives results concordant with the observations. The modified Jeffreys-Bullen model disagrees significantly with the observations. This demonstrates the existence of a low-velocity layer in the upper mantle