Publications of Lianxing Wen

Governmental Document

News Commentary

  • Wen, L, Response to "The Planet Inside: scientists are probing the secrets of the inner core-and learning how it might have saved life on Earth", by Pual Voosen, Science, 11 April, 2022 (link).

    Peer-reviewed Publications

  • Zhang, X. and Wen, L., Comment on "An Evaluation of the Timing Accuracy of Global and Regional Seismic Stations and Networks" by Yang et al. (2021) Seis. Res. Lett., accepted pending the reply from the commented authors.
    (2023 AGU poster, pdf)

  • Xu, Y. and Wen, L., Non-double-couple components of seismic source: method and application to the 2014-2015 Bárðarbunga volcanic event sequence, Iceland, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, in press.

  • Zhang, X. and Wen, L., PREM-like velocity structure in the outermost core from global SKS and ScS waveform modeling, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. , 344, 107091, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2023.107091, 2023.
    (Reprint)

  • Wen, L. X., and Yu, S., The China Seismological Reference Model project, Earth Planet. Phys., 7(5), 521-532. doi: 10.26464/epp2023078, 2023.
    (Reprint)

  • Tian, D. and Wen, L., Comment on "Inner Core Rotation Captured by Earthquake Doublets and Twin Stations" by Yang & Song, 2022, Geophys. Res. Lett., 50 (15), e2023GL103173, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103173, 2023.
    (Reprint)

  • Ma, J., Sun, L., Wang, W., Wu, J., Wang, X. and Wen, L., Uppermost mantle seismic Pn-velocity in continental China and its tectonic implications, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 128, e2022JB025667, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB025667, 2023.
    (Reprint)

  • Xiao, X., Sun, L., Wang, X. and Wen, L., Simultaneous inversion for surface wave phase velocity and earthquake centroid parameters: methodology and application, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 127, e2022JB024018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024018, 2022.
    (Reprint)

  • Cheng, S., Xiao, X., Wu, J., Wang, W., Sun, L., Wang, X. and Wen, L., Crustal thickness and Vp/Vs variation beneath continental China revealed by receiver function analysis, Geophys. J. Int. , Volume 228, Issue 3, March 2022, Pages 1731-1749, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggab433, 2022.
    (Reprint)

  • Lu, Z. and Wen, L., Months-long crustal deformation driven by aseismic slips and pore pressure transients triggered by local and regional earthquakes, Geophys. Res. Lett., Volume 48, Issue 16, e2021GL095148, 28 August, 2021.
    (Reprint)

  • Zhu, J., Chen, X. and Wen, L., Maximum covariance direction method for unconventional seismic sources, Geophys. J. Int. , https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggab232, 2021.
    (Reprint)

  • Xiao, X., Cheng, S., Wu, J., Wang, W., Sun, L., Wang, X. and Wen, L., Shallow seismic structure beneath the continental China revealed by P-wave polarization, Rayleigh wave ellipticity and receiver function, Geophys. J. Int. , Volume 225, Issue 2, May 2021, Pages 998-1019, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggab022, 2021.
    (Reprint)

  • Yao, J., Tian, D., Sun, L. and Wen, L., Comment on "Origin of temporal changes of inner-core seismic waves" by Yang and Song (2020), Earth and Planet. Sci. Letts., Volume 553, 116640, 2021.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Lei, W. and Wen, L.,Widespread small-scale anisotropic structure in the lowermost mantle beneath the North American continent and northeastern Pacific, Seis. Res. Lett., 91 (5): 2779-2790, 2020.
    (Reprint)

  • Wen, L., Earth's Structure, Core. In: Gupta H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Cham, 2020.
    (Reprint)

  • Tang, L., Zhang, M. and Wen, L., Support vector machine classification of seismic events in the Tianshan orogenic belt, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi: 10.1029/2019JB018132, 2020.
    (Reprint)

  • Wang, Y., He, Y., Lu, G. and Wen, L., Seismic, thermal and compositional structures of the stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone beneath southeastern China, Tectonophysics, Article 228208, 2020.
    (Reprint)

  • Yao, J., Tian, D., Sun, L. and Wen, L.,Temporal change of seismic Earth's inner core phases: inner core differential rotation or temporal change of inner core surface?, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi:10.1029/2019JB017532, 2019.
    (Reprint)

  • Xu, Y. and Wen, L., Relative directivity inversion of small earthquake rupture, Geophys. J. Int., 218(1), 631-639, doi:10.1093/gji/ggz179, 2019.
    (Reprint)

  • Lu, Z. and Wen, L., Strong hydro-related localized long-period crustal deformation observed in the Plate Boundary Observatory borehole strainmeters, Geophys. Res. Lett., doi10.1029/2018GL080856, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Yao, J., Tian, D., Lu, Z., Sun, L. and Wen, L., Triggered seismicity after North Korea's 3 September 2017 nuclear test, Seismol. Res. Lett., 89 (6), 2085-2093, doi:10.1785/0220180135, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Yao, J., Tian, D., Sun, L. and Wen, L., Source characteristics of North Korea's 3 September 2017 nuclear test, Seismol. Res. Lett., 89 (6), 2078-2084, doi:10.1785/0220180134, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Tang, L., Lu, Z., Zhang, M., Sun, L. and Wen, L., Seismicity induced by simultaneous abrupt changes of injection rate and well pressure in Hutubi gas field, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi:10.1029/2018JB015863, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Chen, Y., Meng, L., Zhang, A. and Wen, L., Source complexity of the 2015 Mw 7.9 Bonin earthquake, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, doi:10.1029/2018GC007489, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Tian, D., Yao, J. and Wen, L., Collapse and earthquake swarm after North Korea's 3 September 2017 nuclear test, Geophys. Res. Lett., 45(9), 3976-3983, doi:10.1029/2018GL077649, 2018.
    (Reprint) (IRIS Highlight)

  • Lu, Z., Yi, H. and Wen, L., Loading-induced Earth's stress change over time, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 123(5), 4285-4306, doi:10.1029/2017JB015243, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Wen, L., Tian, D. and Yao, J., Seismic structure and dynamic process of the Earth's inner core and its boundary. Chinese Journal Of Geophysics (in Chinese), 61(3): 803-818,doi: 10.6038/cjg2018L0500, 2018.
    (Reprint)

  • Lu, Z and Wen, L., Abnormally strong daily-cycle S1 strain tide: observation and physical mechanism, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi:10.1002/2017JB014383, 2017.
    (Reprint)

  • Tian, D. and Wen, L., Seismological evidence for a localized mushy zone at the Earth inner core boundary, Nat. Commun., 165, doi:10.1038/s41467-017-00229-9, 2017.
    (Reprint)

  • Sun, L., Zhang, M. and Wen, L. , A new method for high-resolution event relocation and application to the aftershocks of Lushan Earthquake, China, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, 120, doi:10.1002/2016JB012840, 2016.
    (Reprint pdf) (Source code download)

  • Ma, X., Sun, X., Wiens, D.A., Wen, L., Nyblade, A., Anandakrishnan, S., Aster, R., Huerta, A. and Wilson, T., Strong seismic scatterers near the core-mantle boundary north of the Pacific Anomaly. Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 253, 21-30, doi:10.1016/j.pepi.2016.01.007, 2016.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yi, H. and Wen, L., Satellite gravity measurement monitoring terrestrial water storage change and drought in the continental United States, Sci. Rep. 6, 19909, doi:10.1038/srep19909, 2016.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Li, Z., Zhao, R., Hu, J. Wen, L., Feng, G., Zhang, Z. and Wang, Q., InSAR analysis of surface deformation over permafrost to estimate active layer thickness based on one-dimensional heat transfer model of soils. Sci. Rep. 5, 15542; doi: 10.1038/srep15542, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Zhang, M. and Wen, L., Earthquake characteristics before eruptions of Japan's Ontake volcano in 2007 and 2014, Geophys. Res. Lett., doi: 10.1002/2015GL065165, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yao, J., Sun, L. and Wen, L., Two-decades of Temporal Change of Earth's Inner Core Boundary, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi: 10.1002/2015JB012339, 2015.
    (Reprint)

  • Chen, X., Tian, D. and Wen, L., Microseismic sources during Hurricane Sandy, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth, doi: 10.1002/2015JB012282, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Chen, Y. and Wen, L., Global large deep-focus earthquakes: source process and cascading failure of shear instability as a unified physical mechanism, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 423, 134-144, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • He, Y., Wen, L., Capdeville, Y. and Zhao, L., Seismic evidence for an Iceland thermo-chemical plume in the Earth lowermost mantle, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 417, 19-27, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Zhang, M. and Wen, L., An effective method for small event detection: Match and Locate (M&L), Geophys. J. Int., , 200 (3): 1523-1537. doi: 10.1093/gji/ggu466, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf) (Source code download)

  • Zhang, M. and Wen, L., Seismological evidence for a low-yield nuclear test on 12 May 2010 in North Korea, Seismol. Res. Lett., 86(1), doi: 10.1785/02201401170, 2015.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • He, Y., Wen, L., and Zheng, T., Seismic evidence for an 850 km thick low-velocity structure in the Earth lowermost mantle beneath Kamchatka, Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, doi:10.1002/2014GL061249, 2014.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • Yao, J., and Wen, L., Seismic structure and ultra-low velocity zones at the base of the Earth's mantle beneath Southeast Asia, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 233, 103-111, 2014.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • Chen, Y., Wen, L. and Ji, C., A cascading failure during the May 24 2013 great Okhotsk deep earthquake, J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth , 119, doi: 10.1002/2013JB010926, 2014.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • Zhang, M., Tian, D. and Wen, L., A new method for earthquake depth determination: stacking multiple-station autocorrelograms, Geophys. J. Int. , 197 (2): 1107-1116., doi: 10.1093/gji/ggu044, 2014.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • Wang, Y., Wen, L. and Weidner, D., Composition of Mars constrained using geophysical observations and mineral physics modeling, Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. , 224, 68-76, 2013.
    (Reprint pdf);

  • Zhang, M. and Wen, L., High-precision location and yield of North Korea's 2013 nuclear test, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40 (12), 2941-2946, doi:10.1029/grl.50607, 2013.
    (Reprint pdf); for General Introduction.

  • Ghosh, A., Holt, W., and Wen, L., Predicting the lithospheric stress field and plate motions by joint modeling of lithosphere and mantle dynamics, J. Geophys. Res., 118, 346-368, doi:10.1029/2012JB009516, 2013.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • He, Y., and Wen, L., Geographic boundary of the "Pacific Anomaly" and its geometry and transitional structure in the north, J. Geophys. Res., 117, B09308, doi:10.1029/2012JB009436, 2012.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Long, H., and Wen, L., Using repeated sources to quantitatively determine temporal change of medium properties: theory and an example, J. Geophys. Res., 117, B09303, doi:10.1029/2012JB009302, 2012.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Dai, Z., Wang, W. and Wen, L., Irregular topography at the Earth's inner core boundary, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., doi:10.1073/pnas.1116342109, 2012.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yu, W. and Wen, L., Deep-focus repeating earthquakes in the Tonga-Fiji subduction zone Bull. Seis. Soc. Am., doi0.1785/0120110272, 102, 1829-1849, 2012.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • He, Y. and Wen, L., Seismic velocity structures and detailed features of the D" discontinuity near the core-mantle boundary beneath eastern Eurasia, Phys. Earth and Planet. Int., 189, 176-184, 2011.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., Structure of Earth's core, Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics, Ed. Gupta, H., 2011.

  • Wen, L. and Long, H., High-precision location of North Korea's 2009 nuclear test, Seism. Res. Lett., 81 (1), 26-29, 2010.
    (Reprint pdf); for General Introduction.

  • Wang, Y., Wen, L. and Weidner, D., Array triplication data constraining seismic structure and composition in the mantle, Surveys in Geophys. , vol. 30 (4), 355, doi:10.1007/s10712-009-9073-3, 2009.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • He, Y. and Wen, L., Structural features and shear-velocity structure of the "Pacific Anomaly", J. Geophys. Res., 114, B02309, doi:10.1029/2008JB005814, 2009.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Zhao, L., Wen, L., Chen, L. and Zheng, T., A two-dimensional hybrid method for modeling seismic wave propagation in anisotropic media, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B12307, doi:10.1029/2008JB005733, 2008.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Ghosh, A., Holt, W. E., Wen, L., Flesch, L. M., Haines, A. J., Joint modeling of lithosphere and mantle dynamics elucidating lithosphere-mantle coupling, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16309, doi:10.1029/2008GL034365, 2008.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wang, Y., Wen, L. and Weidner, D., Upper mantle SH- and P-velocity structures and compositional models beneath southern Africa, Earth Panet. Sci. Lett., 267, 596-608, 2008.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wang, Y. and Wen, L., Complex seismic anisotropy near the border of a very low velocity province at the base of the Earth's mantle, J. Geophys. Res., 112, B09305, Doi:10.1029/2006JB004719, 2007.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yu, W. and Wen, L., Complex seismic anisotropy in the Earth's inner core beneath Africa, J. Geophys. Res., 112, B08304, Doi:10.1029/2006JB004868, 2007.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wang, Y. and Wen, L., Geometry and P- and S- velocity structure of the "African anomaly", J. Geophys. Res., 112, B05313, Doi:10.1029/2006JB004483, 2007.
    (Reprint pdf) (IRIS Highlight)

  • Flesch, L. M., Holt, W. E., Haines, A. J., Wen, L., Shen-Tu, B., The dynamics of western North America: stress measurements and the relative role of gravitational potential energy, plate interaction at the boundary and basal tractions, Geophys. J. Int., 169, 866-896, 2007.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., Localized temporal change of the Earth's inner core boundary, Science, 314. no. 5801, pp. 967 - 970, DOI: 10.1126/science.1131692, 2006.
    (Reprint)

  • Yu, W. and Wen, L., Seismic velocity and attenuation structures in the top 400 km of the inner core along the equatorial paths, J. Geophys. Res., 111, B07308, doi:10.1029/2005JB003995, 2006.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wang, Y., Wen, L., Weidner, D. and He, Y., SH velocity and compositional models near the 660-km discontinuity beneath South America and Northeast Asia, J. Geophys. Res., 111, B07305, doi:10.1029/2005JB003849, 2006.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., A compositional anomaly at the Earth's core-mantle boundary as an anchor to the relatively slowly-moving surface hotspots and as source to the DUPAL anomaly, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 246, 138-148, 2006.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yu, W. and Wen, L., Inner core attenuation anisotropy, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 245, 581-594, 2006.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • He, Y., Wen, L., and Zheng, T., Geographic boundary and shear velocity structure of the "Pacific anomaly" near the core-mantle boundary beneath western Pacific, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 244, 302-314, 2006.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Chen, L, Wen, L., and Zheng T., A wave equation migration method using receiver functions: (II) application to the Japan subduction zone, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B11310, doi:10.1029/2005JB003666, 2005.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Chen, L, Wen, L., and Zheng T., A wave equation migration method using receiver functions: (I) Theory, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B11309, doi:10.1029/2005JB003665, 2005.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Yu, W., Wen, L., and Niu, F., Seismic velocity structure in the Earth's outer core, J. Geophys. Res., 110, B02302, doi:10.1029/2003JB002928, 2005.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wang, Y. and Wen, L., Mapping the geometry and geographic distribution of a very-low velocity province at the base of the Earth's mantle, J. Geophys. Res., 109, B10305, doi:10.1029/2003JB002674, 2004.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Butler, R., Lay, T., Creager, C., Earl, P., Fischer, K., Gaherty, J., Laske, G., Leith, B., Park, J., Ritzwoller, M., Tromp, J., and Wen, L., The Global Seismographic Network surpasses its design goals, EOS, 85, 225-232, 2004.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Niu F. and Wen, L., Difference in seismic velocity between the eastern and western hemispheres in the top of the earth's inner core, Global Tectonics and Metallogeny, 8, 109-111, 2003.

  • Wen, L., Inner core anisotropy and hemisphericity, McGraw-Hill 2003 Yearbook of Science and Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 192-195, 2003.
    (link)

  • Wen, L., and Niu, F., Seismic velocity and attenuation structures in the top of the Earth's inner-core, J. Geophys. Res., 107 (B11), 2273, doi:10.1029/2001JB000170, 2002.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Niu, F. and Wen, L., Seismic anisotropy in the top 400 km of the inner core beneath the "eastern" hemisphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, No 12, 10.1029/2001GL014118, June 29, 2002.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., An SH hybrid method and shear velocity structures in the lowermost mantle beneath the central Pacific and South Atlantic oceans, J. Geophys. Res., 107, B3, 10.1029/2001JB000499 29 March 2002, 2002.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., Seismic evidence for a rapidly-varying compositional anomaly at the base of the Earth's mantle beneath the Indian ocean, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 194, 83-95, 2001.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Niu, F. and Wen, L., Strong seismic scatterers near the core-mantle boundary west of Mexico, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 3557-3560, 2001.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., Silver, P., James, D. and Kuehnel, R., Seismic evidence for a thermo-chemical boundary layer at the base of the Earth's mantle, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 189, 141-153, 2001.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Niu, F. and Wen, L., Hemispherical variations in seismic velocity at the top of the Earth's inner-core, Nature, 410, 1081-1084, 2001.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L., Intense seismic scattering near the Earth's core-mantle boundary beneath the Comoros hotspot, Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 3627-3630, 2000.
    (Reprint pdf) (Source code download)

  • Helmberger, D.V., Si, N., Wen, L. and Ritsema, J., Seismic evidence for ultra low velocity zones beneath Africa and the Atlanic Ocean, J. Geophys. Res., 105, 23,865-23,878, 2000.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Helmberger, D.V., Wen, L. and Ding, X., Seismic evidence that the source of the Iceland hotspot lies at the core-mantle boundary, Nature, 396, 251-255, 1998.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Helmberger, D.V., Ultra-low velocity zones near the core-mantle boundary from broadband PKP precursors, Science, 279, 1701-1703, 1998.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Helmberger, D.V., A 2D P-SV hybrid method and its application to localized structures near the core-mantle boundary, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 17,901-17,918, 1998.
    (Reprint pdf) (Source code download)

  • Wen, L. and Anderson, D.L., Present-day plate motion constraint on mantle rheology and convection, J. Geophys. Res., 102, 24,639-24,654, 1997.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Anderson, D.L., Layered mantle convection: a model for Geoid and topography, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 146, 367-377, 1997.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Anderson, D.L., Slabs, hotspots, cratons and mantle convection revealed from residual seismic tomography in the upper mantle, Phys. Earth Planet. Int., 99, 131-143, 1997.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Helmberger, D.V., Propagational corrections for basin structure: Lander's earthquake, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 87, 782-787, 1997.
    (Some details)

  • Wen, L. and Anderson, D.L., The fate of the slabs inferred from seismic tomography and 130 Ma subduction, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 133, 185-198, 1995.
    (Reprint pdf)

  • Wen, L. and Yao, Z.X., A study of the effects of the Feitsui canyon topography on the ground strong motion -using 2.5-D SH hybrid method and the strong motion records at a station, ACTA, Geophysica Sinica, 38, 64-70, 1995.

  • Wen, L. and Yao, Z.X., Theory and application of hybrid method seismograms, ACTA, Geophysica Sinica, 37, 211-219, 1994.

  • Yao, Z.X., Zheng T.-Y. and Wen, L., Moment Tensor inversion method for determining the earthquake process by the use of P-Wave from data, ACTA, Geophysica Sinica, 37, 36-44, 1994.

    Some writing may be of value

  • Water, WR and Wen, L., Preface to the focus section on North Korea's September 2017 nuclear test and its aftermath, Seismol. Res. Lett., 89 (6): 2013-2016, https://doi.org/10.1785/0220180281, 2018 (link).