3D structure of the Earthʹs lower mantle

We present an overview of the present knowledge of the Earthʹs lower mantle 3D structure, as currently obtained owing to progress, in the last ten years, in seismic tomography as well as forward modelling of seismic travel times and waveforms. We discuss constraints that seismic modelling brings to the debate concerning major geodynamical questions, in particular the issue of global ‘1 layer’ or ‘2 layer’ circulation, of the missing geochemical reservoir, as well as of the role in global dynamics of the thermochemical boundary layer at the base of the mantle.