Upper mantle electrical conductivity for seven subcontinental regions of the Earth

Abstract

Spherical harmonic analysis coefficients of the external and internal parts of the quiet-day geomagnetic field variations ( Sq ) separated for the seven continental regions of the observatories have been used to determine conductivity profiles to depths of about 600km by the Schmucker equivalent substitute conductor method. The profiles give evidence of increases in conductivity between about 150 and 350km depth, then a general increase in conductivity thereafter. For South America we found a high conductivity at shallow depths. The European profile showed a highly conducting layer near 125km. At the greater depths, Europe, Australia and South America had the lowest values of conductivity. North America and east Asia had intermediate values whereas the African and central Asian profiles both showed the conductivities rising rapidly beyond 450km depth. The regional differences indicate that there may be considerable lateral heterogeneity of electrical conductivity in the Earth's upper mantle.