The upper mantle geoid for lithospheric structure and dynamics

Abstract Geoid anomalies offer crucial information on the internal density structure of Earth, and thus, its constitution dynamic state. In order to interpret geoid undulations in terms depth, magnitude lateral extension lithosphere upper mantle, effects lower mantle need be removed from full (thus obtaining residual ’upper geoid’). However, how achieve this seemingly simple filtering exercise has eluded consensus for decades solid Earth community. While there is wide agreement regarding causative masses degrees > 10 spherical harmonic expansions geoid, those contributing < 7‐8 remain ambiguous. Here we use analysis recent tomography models joint seismic‐geodynamic inversions derive a representative including contributions low degrees. We show that contains important 5 6 as arising coupling between long‐wavelength lithospheric sublithospheric convection pattern. Importantly, 3 l 8 do not power‐law behaviour (e.g. Kaula’s rule), which precludes standard techniques spectral domain. Our model will useful studies i) structure, ii) topography viscosity, iii) lithosphere‐asthenosphere interactions iv) global stress field within associated hazards.