Density heterogeneity of the lithospheric mantle - Testing the method for Siberia, North America and Europe

We present a method for regional lithospheric mantle density structure determination. The residual mantle gravity anomalies are based on gravity data derived from the GOCE geopotential model with crustal correction to the gravity field calculated from a number of regional crustal models. Calculated mantle gravity anomalies are converted to mantle density anomalies. Since the depth distribution of the gravitational sources is a priori unknown and cannot be uniquely determined from gravity data alone, independent information from seismic, thermal, andpetrological studies are used to constrain the lithospheric thickness and the depth distribution of anomalous masses. We calculate the lithospheric density distribution after removing the deep mantle contribution to the GOCE gravity fieldby wavelength filtering and assuming that the contribution of the convecting asthenosphere to the mantle gravity is insignificant. We apply our analysis to three test areas; Siberia, Europe (forwhich new regional crustal modelshave recently become available, [1]and [2]) and for North America [3].