(1) Introduction.-In this paper, the values of variables at the base of the mantle and top of the core in the Earth models to be considered will be indicated by the subscripts 1 and 2, respectively; k and p will denote the incompressibility and density; let Ak = k2ki and Ap = p2 pi. In an earlier Earth model,1 Model A, k1 = 6.5 X 1012 dyn/cm2 and k2 = 6.2 X 1012 dyn/cm2, giving Ak = -0.3 X 1012...

Recent results suggest that an iron-rich oxide may have fractionally crystallized from a primordial magma ocean and settled on the core–mantle boundary (CMB). Based on experimental results, the presence of only a few percent of Fe-rich oxide could slow seismic waves down by several percent. This heavy layer can become highly undulating as predicted from dynamic modeling but can remain as a sear...

Introduction: Geologically recent volcanism on Mars [1-4] can be well explained with mantle convection and plumes [5-7]. Most of these studies have assumed single layer convection in Martian mantle. However, a layered Martian mantle has been suggested in the model of magma ocean and mantle overturn [8]. The possible effects of such stratification on the early volcanism, magnetic dynamo, and the...

The partial collapse of topographic structure at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) in avalanches, slumps or turbidity flows, would cause sudden temperature changes in both the upper core and the lower mantle. Although such collapses are hypothetical, it is interesting to investigate the potential consequences. Downwelling from such events could disrupt core convection cells and trigger geomagnetic...

During the growth of crystals, different amounts of isotopes are incorporated at the crystallographically differing crystal faces [1-5]. If the temperature and the isotopic composition of the mother solution are constant in time (as could and should be achieved in artificial crystal growth), this interfacial isotope effect and its dependence on temperature can easily be measured. During natural...

We present an overview of the relation between mantle dynamics and plate tectonics, adopting the perspective that the plates are the surface manifestation, i.e., the top thermal boundary layer, of mantle convection. We review how simple convection pertains to plate formation, regarding the aspect ratio of convection cells; the forces that drive convection; and how internal heating and temperatu...

An important feature of continents and oceans is that they are underlain by chemically distinct mantle, made intrinsically buoyant and highly viscous by melt depletion and accompanying dehydration, respectively. Of interest here are the influences of these preexisting chemical boundary layers on small-scale convective processes (as opposed to large-scale processes, which govern the drift of con...

Earth's lowermost mantle has thermal, chemical, and mineralogical complexities that require precise seismological characterization. Stacking, migration, and modeling of over 10,000 P and S waves that traverse the deep mantle under the Cocos plate resolve structures above the core-mantle boundary. A small -0.07 +/- 0.15% decrease of P wave velocity (Vp) is accompanied by a 1.5 +/- 0.5% increase ...