Author Description

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 117. Earth is a dynamically evolving planet with large-scale flow and chemical differentiation occurring throughout history. These processes include not only mantle convection and related phenomena but also core processes that have an important influence on the generation of the magnetic field. Deep processes in Earth, however, have long been matters for speculation without many observational constraints. Fortunately, during the last 10 years or so this situation has changed dramatically. Enhancements in the capacity of high resolution seismology to probe the fine structures of Earth's deep interior (via seismic tomography, for example) and technical advances in mineral and rock physics, which have provided new and improved data bases for interpreting seismological observations, are essential developments.