Tools of the Trade
Studies of Earth's deep interior involve a wide range of disciplines within the Earth Sciences and address some of the most fundamental questions regarding the origin, evolution, composition and dynamics of our planet. At depths inaccessible to direct sampling, knowledge of Earth structure is obtained through application of a number of different approaches. These include:
- seismological probes of mantle and core structure
from analysis of global seismic data
- geomagnetic investigation of Earth's magnetic
field and its temporal evolution using both terrestrial and satellite observations
- studies of Earth's surface topography and gravity field to constrain density variations at depth
- mineral physics experiments to measure the effects of high pressure and temperature on rocks
- geochemical studies of the origins of rocks
- numerical simulations of mantle convection including plumes and subducting slabs
- theoretical and numerical analyses of core dynamos
- predictions of mineral properties from equation-of-state calculations
- fluid dynamical experiments using analog materials to model Earth properties ranging from mantle dynamics to turbulence, dynamos to solidification
It is becoming increasingly clear that interdisciplinary efforts are required to make
progress on a number of important issues.
The AGU SEDI committee helps to foster deep Earth research by bringing together
different groups and provides a focus for studies of Earth's deep interior, both
within and outside the AGU organization.
