  We report quantitative analysis of the radial gradient of solar angular
velocity at depths down to about 15 Mm below the solar surface for latitudes up
to 75 degree using the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) observations of surface
gravity waves (f modes) from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO). A
negative outward gradient of around -400 nHz/R, equivalent to logarithmic
gradient of the rotation frequency with respect to radius which is very close
to -1, is found to be remarkably constant between the equator and 30 degree of
latitude. Above 30 degree it decreases in absolute magnitude to a very small
value at around 50 degree. At higher latitudes the gradient may reverse its
sign: if so this reversal takes place in a thin layer extending only 5 Mm
beneath the visible surface, as evidenced by the most superficial modes (with
degrees l>250). The signature of the torsional oscillations is seen in this
layer, but no other significant temporal variations of the gradient and value
of the rotation rate there are found.
