Images of the Earth's Crust & Upper Mantle

Updated: Nov 01, 2007

About IGCP

The International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) fosters interdiscipinary geoscientific research amongst researchers from around the world. IGCP Projects conduct their business through joint research work, meetings and workshops. Since its establishment in 1972, IGCP has supported nearly 500 projects. IGCP operates in about 150 countries and involves several thousands of scientists.

ICGP is a cooperative enterprise of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences).

IGCP474 gratefully acknowledges the financial support recieved from IUGS and UNESCO.

Images of the Earth's Crust & Upper Mantle

"Inner" Space, the Continents and their Margins

Project Objective

To provide ready access to seismic images of the Earth's basement geology, deep crust and upper mantle, with interpretations of these data to contribute to more informed debate on:

• Geological paradigms (theories)
• Tectonic processes (plate tectonics, dynamic processes)
• The natural environment (landscapes, soils, erosion)
• Natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis)
• The sustainable use of natural resources including soil, water, energy (oil, gas, coal, geothermal) and minerals.

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Click on an area or continent to see transects for that area

Seismic Images homepage

Project Summary

This IGCP project brings together the strengths in a number of major geoscience research institutions and international associations to make available to a worldwide scientific, educational and public audience, the best examples of images of the interior of the Earth's crust and upper mantle across a variety of representative structural provinces from all parts of the globe. This aim may be seen as part of a wider objective to foster the spread and application of geoscience knowledge to issues related to the pursuit of international social, economic and cultural goals and sustainable development.

Since the 1960s there has been an explosion in the quantity and quality of seismic images of the Earth's crust. These images give us a detailed insight into the geological structures and tectonic processes that shape the crust. They are therefore relevant to natural resource exploration, the distribution and management of groundwater resources and the study and mitigation of natural hazards such as earthquakes. They define the processes that control the evolution of the landscape and soils.

Most deep seismic images have been generated to study geology at the regional scale. This project will provide the catalyst for and the means by which the results of the separate regional programs will be brought into a global scientific framework. Most Earth science theory flows from an understanding of the geology at the surface of the Earth. This project will generate the collaboration to show and make available seismic images across representative orogenic belts, rifts, continental margins, etc. Most of the results available today are from developed nations. In making the results available in a global scientific context, they will be available and have meaning to researchers and educators in developing nations which have no opportunity fund their own seismic imaging programs.

Formats are chosen to ensure access by the general public. Distribution by the WWW ensures that the results will be available almost everywhere immediately. The results will therefore bridge the gap between scientific effort and the public interest and give the public a real insight into nature of the major geological processes in the outer 50-70 km of the Earth that directly affect their lives.

	The IGCP 474 Committee wish to acknowledge the support in Geoscience Australia in hosting and maintaining this web site.
	The IGCP474 project committee gratefully acknowledges the financial support it receives from IUGS and UNESCO

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