Updated Outer Core Reference Model from a Bayesian Inversion of Normal Mode Eigenfrequencies
The outer core is arguably Earth’s most dynamic region, and consists of an iron-nickel liquid with an unknown combination of lighter alloying elements. Frequencies of Earth’s normal modes provide the strongest constraints on the radial profiles of compressional wavespeed, VΦ, and density, , in the outer core. Recent great earthquakes have yielded new normal mode measurements; however, mineral physics experiments and calculations are often compared to the Preliminary Reference Earth model (PREM), which is 35 years old and does not provide uncertainties. Here we investigate the thermo-elastic properties of the outer core using Earth’s free oscillations and a Bayesian framework.