QLM9: A new radial quality factor (Qμ) model for the lower mantle

We employ a niching genetic algorithm to invert ∼30,000 differential ScS/S attenuation values for a new spherically symmetric radial model of shear quality factor (Qμ) with high sensitivity to the lower mantle. The new radial Qμ model, QLM9, possesses greater sensitivity to Qμ at large mantle depths than previous studies. On average, lower mantle Qμ increases with depth, which supports models of increasing viscosity with depth [B.M. Steinberger, A.R. Calderwood. Mineral physics constraints on viscous flow models of mantle flow, J. Conf. Abs., 6, 2001., 2001.]. There are two higher-Qμ regions at ∼1000 and ∼2500 km depth, which roughly correspond to high-viscosity regions observed by Forte and Mitrovica [A.M. Forte and J.X. Mitrovica, Deep-mantle high-viscosity flow and thermochemical structure inferred from seismic and geodynamic data, Nature 410, 1049–1056, 2001.]. There is a lower-Qμ layer at the core–mantle boundary and a relatively low-Qμ region in the mid-lower mantle. With several caveats, we infer a divergence of the solidus and geotherm in the lower mantle and a convergence within Dʺ by relating Qμ to homologous temperature.