Which seismological technique uses the speed and reflection of seismic waves to map the Earth's interior structure in three dimensions?

Answer

Seismic tomography

The mapping of deep-Earth structures, especially features as subtle yet massive as the suspected Theia remnants, relies fundamentally on seismic tomography. This sophisticated technique measures the travel times of seismic waves generated by earthquakes as they propagate through the Earth. When a wave encounters a region with different physical properties—such as variations in density, temperature, or chemical composition—its velocity changes, causing a measurable delay or alteration in its path. By analyzing millions of these wave paths, scientists can reconstruct a three-dimensional image, similar to how a medical CT scan uses X-ray attenuation to image the body, allowing researchers to visualize and define the boundaries and properties of these deep mantle anomalies by measuring impedance variations.

Which seismological technique uses the speed and reflection of seismic waves to map the Earth's interior structure in three dimensions?

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