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Science 28 June 1991:
Vol. 252. no. 5014, pp. 1836 - 1839
DOI: 10.1126/science.252.5014.1836
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Articles

Development of Diapiric Structures in the Upper Mantle Due to Phase Transitions

M. LIU 1, D. A. YUEN 2, W. ZHAO 2, and S. HONDA 3

1 Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
2 Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
3 Institute of Geology, Hiroshima University, 730 Hiroshima, Japan

Solid-state phase transitions in time-dependent mantle convection can induce diapiric flows in the upper mantle. When a deep mantle plume rises toward phase boundaries in the upper mantle, the changes in the local thermal buoyancy, local heat capacity, and latent heat associated with the phase change at a depth of 670 kilometers tend to pinch off the plume head from the feeding stem and form a diapir. This mechanism may explain episodic hot spot volcanism. The nature of the multiple phase boundaries at the boundary between the upper and lower mantle may control the fate of deep mantle plumes, allowing hot plumes to go through and retarding the tepid ones.

Submitted on January 30, 1991
Accepted on April 22, 1991


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Asymmetric Phase Effects and Mantle Convection Patterns.
M. Liu and M. Liu (1994)
Science 264, 1904-1907
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Geological evidence for a global tectonic polarity.
C. DOGLIONI (1993)
Journal of the Geological Society 150, 991-1002
   Abstract »    PDF »
Three-Dimensional Instabilities of Mantle Convection with Multiple Phase Transitions.
S. Honda, S. Honda, D. A. Yuen, S. Balachandar, and D. Reuteler (1993)
Science 259, 1308-1311
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)