# AI-driven mapping of Earth's core-mantle boundary

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ai-driven-mapping-of-earths-core-mantle-boundary
> Updated: 2026-08-31T12:27:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have utilized deep learning tools to map the Earth’s core-mantle boundary with high precision. By analyzing over 2 million seismic waveforms from approximately 5,000 earthquakes recorded between 1990 and 2024, the AI identified nearly 175,000 previously unrecorded PKP precursor signals.

The analysis revealed six previously unknown geological structures located approximately 2,900 kilometers beneath the surface, situated where the solid mantle meets the liquid outer core. These structures, which may be ultra-low velocity zones, appear as broad continuous bands rather than scattered patches. They are located beneath regions including Eurasia, Central Asia, and the South Atlantic basin.

According to the study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, scientists suggest these formations could consist of ancient subducted oceanic crust, sediment, or debris from the collision that formed the Moon, such as fragments of the ancient protoplanet Theia. These findings are considered critical for understanding heat transfer between the core and mantle, which influences volcanic activity, tectonic plate movement, and the Earth’s magnetic field.

## Claims

- Researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered six new geological structures. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The discovery was made using an artificial intelligence algorithm trained on over 2 million seismic waveforms. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The AI identified 174,929 high-quality PKP precursor signals. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The study was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The research team was led by researchers Zhi Guan and Juan Li. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The structures are located approximately 2,900 kilometers deep at the boundary between the Earth's mantle and core. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The six structures are located beneath Eurasia, Central Asia, and the South Atlantic basin. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The structures may be remnants of subducted oceanic plates or fragments of the protoplanet Theia. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: AI identifies six new geological structures deep within Earth's mantle

Using AI to analyze 2 million seismic waveforms, researchers discovered six new geological structures 2,900 km deep at the Earth's mantle-core boundary.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinese-academy-of-sciences-uses-ai-to-find-six-deep-earth-structures

### 2026-08-29: AI technology maps new structures near Earth's core-mantle boundary

Using deep learning to analyze 2 million seismic waveforms, scientists have uncovered 175,000 new signals and six mystery structures near Earth's core-mantle boundary.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ai-technology-maps-new-structures-near-earths-core-mantle-boundary

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Cite as: AI-driven mapping of Earth's core-mantle boundary. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ai-driven-mapping-of-earths-core-mantle-boundary