Justin Leung
I am working with Dr. Andrew Walker and Dr. Paula Koelemeijer to better understand the physical properties of the lowermost mantle. I am particularly interested in the structure, composition, and origin of large low-wave velocity provinces (LLVPs). They are two continental-sized structures in the lowermost mantle of lower seismic wave velocities relative to their surroundings that cover 25 % of the core surface and rise 100s of km above the core-mantle boundary. There is still no consensus on the physical properties of LLVPs (e.g. density, structure, composition), which can be used to constrain possible hypotheses of their origin. I aim to obtain a better understanding of LLVPs using an interdisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from seismology, geodynamics and mineral physics.
I am co-funded by the Oxford-NERC Environmental Research DTP and the Radcliffe Scholarship from University College. I completed my undergraduate (integrated master’s degree) in Earth Sciences at Oxford. For my master’s project, I explored seismic anisotropy at the Whillans Ice Stream to provide insights into its past and future deformation.
