Articles | Volume 12, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-421-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-421-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Feb 2021
Research article |
| 22 Feb 2021
| 22 Feb 2021
Timescales of chemical equilibrium between the convecting solid mantle and over- and underlying magma oceans
Daniela Paz Bolrão
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Maxim D. Ballmer
Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Adrien Morison
University of Exeter, Physics and Astronomy, EX4 4QL Exeter, UK
Antoine B. Rozel
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Patrick Sanan
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Stéphane Labrosse
Université de Lyon, ENSL, UCBL, Laboratoire LGLTPE, 15 parvis René Descartes, BP7000, 69342 Lyon, CEDEX 07, France
Paul J. Tackley
Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Related authors
No articles found.
Thomas Frasson, Stéphane Labrosse, Henri-Claude Nataf, Nicolas Coltice, and Nicolas Flament
Solid Earth, 15, 617–637, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-617-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-15-617-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Heat flux heterogeneities at the bottom of Earth's mantle play an important role in the dynamic of the underlying core. Here, we study how these heterogeneities are affected by the global rotation of the Earth, called true polar wander (TPW), which has to be considered to relate mantle dynamics with core dynamics. We find that TPW can greatly modify the large scales of heat flux heterogeneities, notably at short timescales. We provide representative maps of these heterogeneities.
Fengping Pang, Jie Liao, Maxim D. Ballmer, and Lun Li
Solid Earth, 14, 353–368, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-353-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-353-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Plume–ridge interaction is an intriguing geological process in plate tectonics. In this paper, we address the respective role of ridgeward vs. plate-drag plume flow in 2D thermomechanical models and compare the results with a compilation of observations on Earth. From a geophysical and geochemical analysis of Earth plumes and in combination with the model results, we propose that the absence of plumes interacting with ridges in the Pacific is largely caused by the presence of plate drag.
Joshua Martin Guerrero, Frédéric Deschamps, Yang Li, Wen-Pin Hsieh, and Paul James Tackley
Solid Earth, 14, 119–135, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-119-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-119-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The mantle thermal conductivity's dependencies on temperature, pressure, and composition are often suppressed in numerical models. We examine the effect of these dependencies on the long-term evolution of lower-mantle thermochemical structure. We propose that depth-dependent conductivities derived from mantle minerals, along with moderate temperature and compositional correction, emulate the Earth's mean lowermost-mantle conductivity values and produce a stable two-pile configuration.
Thomas Frasson, Stéphane Labrosse, Henri-Claude Nataf, and Nicolas Coltice
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1172, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1172, 2022
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
We used the results of a global 3d mantle convection model showing plate-like behaviour to study the heat flux at the base of the mantle and the wandering of the pole due to masses displacement inside the Earth during mantle convection. Subduction zones and continents are driving this wandering by maintaining themselves close to the equator, which translates in high equatorial heat flux patches in the lower mantle. The dominant heat flux patterns can be related to surface plate-tectonics.
Antonio Manjón-Cabeza Córdoba and Maxim D. Ballmer
Solid Earth, 13, 1585–1605, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1585-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1585-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The origin of many volcanic archipelagos on the Earth remains uncertain. By using 3D modelling of mantle flow and melting, we investigate the interaction between the convective mantle near the continental–oceanic transition and rising hot plumes. We believe that this phenomenon is the origin behind some archipelagos, in particular the Canary Islands. Analysing our results, we reconcile observations that were previously enigmatic, such as the complex patterns of volcanism in the Canaries.
Anna Johanna Pia Gülcher, Maxim Dionys Ballmer, and Paul James Tackley
Solid Earth, 12, 2087–2107, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2087-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-2087-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The lower mantle extends from 660–2890 km depth, making up > 50 % of the Earth’s volume. Its composition and structure, however, remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate several hypotheses with computer simulations of mantle convection that include different materials: recycled, dense rocks and ancient, strong rocks. We propose a new integrated style of mantle convection including
piles,
blobs, and
streaksthat agrees with various observations of the deep Earth.
Antonio Manjón-Cabeza Córdoba and Maxim D. Ballmer
Solid Earth, 12, 613–632, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-613-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-12-613-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The study of intraplate volcanism can inform us about underlying mantle dynamic processes and thermal and/or compositional anomalies. Here, we investigated numerical models of mantle flow and melting of edge-driven convection (EDC), a potential origin for intraplate volcanism. Our most important conclusion is that EDC can only produce moderate amounts of mantle melting. By itself, EDC is insufficient to support the formation of voluminous island-building volcanism over several millions of years.
Patrick Sanan, Dave A. May, Matthias Bollhöfer, and Olaf Schenk
Solid Earth, 11, 2031–2045, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-2031-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-2031-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Mantle and lithospheric dynamics, elasticity, subsurface flow, and other fields involve solving indefinite linear systems. Tools include direct solvers (robust, easy to use, expensive) and advanced iterative solvers (complex, problem-sensitive). We show that a third option, ILDL preconditioners, requires less memory than direct solvers but is easy to use, as applied to 3D problems with parameter jumps. With included software, we hope to allow researchers to solve previously infeasible problems.
Jana Schierjott, Antoine Rozel, and Paul Tackley
Solid Earth, 11, 959–982, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-959-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-959-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the size of mineral grains of Earth's rocks in computer models of the whole Earth. This is relevant because grain size affects the stiffness (large grains are stiffer) and deformation of the Earth's mantle. We see that mineral grains grow inside stable non-deforming regions of the Earth. However, these regions are less stiff than expected. On the other hand, we find that grain size diminishes during deformation events such as when surface material comes down into the Earth.
Robert I. Petersen, Dave R. Stegman, and Paul J. Tackley
Solid Earth, 8, 339–350, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-339-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-339-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we propose a dichotomy in the strength profile of tectonic plates. This apparent dichotomy suggests that plates at the Earth's surface are significantly stronger, by orders of magnitude, than the subducted slabs in the Earth's interior. Strong plates promote single-sided, Earth-like subduction. Once subducted, strong slabs transmit dynamic stresses and disrupt subduction. Slabs which are weakened do not disrupt subduction and furthermore exhibit a variety of observed morphologies.
Cited articles
Abe, Y.: Physical state of the very early Earth, Lithos, 30, 223–235,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-4937(93)90037-D, 1993. a
Abe, Y. and Matsui, T.: Early evolution of the Earth: Accretion, atmosphere
formation, and thermal history, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea.,
91, E291–E302, https://doi.org/10.1029/JB091iB13p0E291, 1986. a
Abe, Y. and Matsui, T.: Evolution of an Impact-Generated H2O-CO2 Atmosphere and Formation of a Hot Proto-Ocean on Earth,
J. Atmos. Sci., 45, 3081–3101, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1988)045<3081:EOAIGH>2.0.CO;2, 1988. a
Agrusta, R., Morison, A., Labrosse, S., Deguen, R., Alboussière, T.,
Tackley, P. J., and Dubuffet, F.: Mantle convection interacting with magma
oceans, Geophys. J. Int., 220, 1878–1892, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggz549, 2019. a, b, c
Andrault, D., Petitgirard, S., Nigro, G. L., Devidal, J.-L., Veronesi, G.,
Garbarino, G., and Mezouar, M.: Solid-liquid iron partitioning in Earth's
deep mantle, Nature, 487, 354–357, 2012. a
Ballmer, M. D., Schumacher, L., Lekic, V., Thomas, C., and Ito, G.:
Compositional layering within the large low shear-wave velocity provinces in
the lower mantle, Geochem. Geophy. Geosy., 17, 5056–5077,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GC006605, 2016. a
Ballmer, M. D., Houser, C., Hernlund, J., Wentzcovich, R., and Hirose, K.:
Persistence of strong silica-enriched domains in the Earth’s lower mantle,
Nat. Geosci., 10, 236–240, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2898, 2017a. a
Boukaré, C.-E., Parmentier, E., and Parman, S.: Timing of mantle overturn
during magma ocean solidification, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 491,
216–225, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.03.037, 2018. a, b, c
Brown, S., Elkins-Tanton, L., and Walker, R.: Effects of magma ocean
crystallization and overturn on the development of 142 Nd and 182 W isotopic heterogeneities in the primordial mantle,
Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 408, 319–330, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.10.025, 2014. a
Canup, R. M.: Forming a Moon with an Earth-like Composition via a Giant Impact, Science, 338, 1052–1055, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1226073, 2012. a
Caracas, R., Hirose, K., Nomura, R., and Ballmer, M. D.: Melt–crystal density
crossover in a deep magma ocean, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 516, 202–211,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.03.031, 2019. a, b
Chandrasekhar, S.: Hydrodynamic and Hydromagnetic Stability, Dover Books on
Physics Series, Dover Publications, Oxford, Clarendon, 1961. a
Citron, R. I., Manga, M., and Tan, E.: A hybrid origin of the Martian crustal
dichotomy: Degree−1 convection antipodal to a giant impact, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 491, 58–66, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.03.031, 2018. a
Corgne, A. and Wood, B.: Trace element partitioning and substitution mechanisms in calcium perovskites, Contrib. Mineral. Petr., 149, 85–97, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-004-0638-3, 2005. a
Costa, A., Caricchi, L., and Bagdassarov, N.: A model for the rheology of
particle-bearing suspensions and partially molten rocks, Geochem. Geophy. Geosy., 10, Q03010, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GC002138, 2009. a
Ćuk, M. and Stewart, S. T.: Making the Moon from a Fast-Spinning Earth: A
Giant Impact Followed by Resonant Despinning, Science, 338, 1047–1052,
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1225542, 2012. a
Deguen, R.: Thermal convection in a spherical shell with melting/freezing at
either or both of its boundaries, J. Earth Sci., 24, 669–682,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-013-0364-8, 2013. a, b
Deguen, R., Alboussière, T., and Cardin, P.: Thermal convection in
Earth's inner core with phase change at its boundary,
Geophys. J. Int., 194, 1310–1334, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggt202, 2013. a, b, c
Deschamps, F., Cobden, L., and Tackley, P. J.: The primitive nature of large
low shear-wave velocity provinces, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett.,
349–350, 198–208, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2012.07.012, 2012. a, b
Drake, M. J.: Accretion and primary differentiation of the Earth: a personal
journey, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 64, 2363–2369,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00372-0, 2000. a
Elkins-Tanton, L. T.: Magma Oceans in the Inner Solar System,
Annu. Rev. Earth Pl. Sc., 40, 113–139,
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-042711-105503, 2012. a, b, c
Elkins-Tanton, L. T., Zaranek, S., Parmentier, E., and Hess, P.: Early magnetic field and magmatic activity on Mars from magma ocean cumulate overturn, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 236, 1–12,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2005.04.044, 2005. a, b
Flasar, F. M. and Birch, F.: Energetics of core formation: A correction,
J. Geophys. Res., 78, 6101–6103,
https://doi.org/10.1029/JB078i026p06101, 1973. a
Garnero, E. J. and McNamara, A. K.: Structure and Dynamics of
Earth's Lower Mantle, Science, 320, 626–628,
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1148028, 2008. a
Gülcher, A. J., Gebhardt, D. J., Ballmer, M. D., and Tackley, P. J.: Variable
dynamic styles of primordial heterogeneity preservation in the Earth's lower
mantle, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 536, 116160,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116160, 2020. a
Hamano, K., Abe, Y., and Genda, H.: Emergence of two types of terrestrial
planet on solidification of magma ocean, Nature, 497, 607–610,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12163, 2013. a
Hernlund, J. W. and Tackley, P. J.: Modeling mantle convection in the spherical
annulus, Phys. Earth Planet. In., 171, 48–54,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2008.07.037, 2008. a
Ishihara, Y., Goossens, S., Matsumoto, K., Noda, H., Araki, H., Namiki, N.,
Hanada, H., Iwata, T., Tazawa, S., and Sasaki, S.: Crustal thickness of the
Moon: Implications for farside basin structures,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L19202, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GL039708, 2009. a
Kurnosov, A., Marquardt, H., Frost, D. J., Boffa Ballaran, T., and Ziberna, L.: Evidence for a Fe3+-rich pyrolitic lower mantle from (Al,Fe)-bearing
bridgmanite elasticity data, Nature, 543, 543–546,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature21390, 2017. a
Labrosse, S., Hernlund, J. W., and Hirose, K.: Fractional Melting and Freezing in the Deep Mantle and Implications for the Formation of a Basal Magma Ocean, in: The Early Earth, edited by: Badro, J. and Walter, M., John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ, American Geophysical Union, 123–142, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118860359.ch7, 2015. a, b, c, d, e, f
Labrosse, S., Morison, A., Deguen, R., and Alboussière, T.:
Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a creeping solid with a phase change at
either or both horizontal boundaries, J. Fluid Mech., 846, 5–36,
https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2018.258, 2018. a, b, c
Laneuville, M., Hernlund, J., Labrosse, S., and Guttenberg, N.: Crystallization
of a compositionally stratified basal magma ocean, Phys. Earth Planet. In., 276, 86–92, 2018. a
Liebske, C., Corgne, A., Frost, D. J., Rubie, D. C., and Wood, B. J.:
Compositional effects on element partitioning between Mg-silicate perovskite
and silicate melts, Contrib. Mineral. Petr., 149, 113–128,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-004-0641-8, 2005. a
Manga, M.: Mixing of heterogeneities in the mantle: effect of viscosity
differences, Geophys. Res. Lett., 23, 403–406, 1996. a
Masters, G., Laske, G., Bolton, H., and Dziewonski, A.: The Relative Behavior of Shear Velocity, Bulk Sound Speed, and Compressional Velocity in the Mantle: Implications for Chemical and Thermal Structure, in: Earth's Deep Interior: Mineral Physics and Tomography From the Atomic to the Global Scale, edited by: Karato, S.‐I., Forte, A., Liebermann, R., Masters, G., and Stixrude, L., American Geophysical Union Geophysical Monograph Series, Washington, DC, USA, 117, 63–87, 2000. a
Maurice, M., Tosi, N., Samuel, H., Plesa, A., Hüttig, C., and Breuer, D.:
Onset of solid‐state mantle convection and mixing during magma ocean
solidification, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 122, 577–598,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JE005250, 2017. a, b, c, d
McDonough, W. and Sun, S.-S.: The composition of the Earth, Chem. Geol.,
120, 223–253, https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)00140-4, 1995. a
Miyazaki, Y. and Korenaga, J.: On the Timescale of Magma Ocean Solidification
and Its Chemical Consequences: 1. Thermodynamic Database for Liquid at High
Pressures, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 124, 3382–3398,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016932, 2019a. a
Miyazaki, Y. and Korenaga, J.: On the Timescale of Magma Ocean Solidification
and Its Chemical Consequences: 2. Compositional Differentiation Under Crystal
Accumulation and Matrix Compaction, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 124, 3399–3419, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016928, 2019b. a, b
Murakami, M. and Bass, J.: Evidence of denser MgSiO3 glass above 133 gigapascal (GPa) and implications for remnants of ultradense silicate melt from a deep magma ocean, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 108, 17286–17289, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1109748108, 2011. a
Nguyen, C., Fleck, J., Rains, C., Weeraratne, D., Nguyen, C., Brand, D., Klein, S., McGehee, J., Rincon, J., Martinez, C., and Olson, P.: Iron diapirs entrain silicates to the core and initiate thermochemical plumes, Nat.
Commun., 9, 71, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02503-2, 2018. a
Ni, S. and Helmberger, D.: Probing an Ultra-low velocity zone at the Core
Mantle Boundary with P and S Waves, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 2345–2348,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2000GL012766, 2001. a
Nikolaou, A., Katyal, N., Tosi, N., Godolt, M., Grenfell, J. L., and Rauer, H.:
What Factors Affect the Duration and Outgassing of the Terrestrial Magma
Ocean?, Astrophys. J., 875, 11 pp., https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab08ed, 2019. a, b, c, d
Nomura, R., Ozawa, H., Tateno, S., Hirose, K., Hernlund, J., Muto, S., Ishii,
H., and Hiraoka, N.: Spin crossover and iron-rich silicate melt in the
Earth's deep mantle, Nature, 473, 199–202, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09940, 2011. a, b, c
Ricard, Y., Labrosse, S., and Dubuffet, F.: Lifting the cover of the cauldron:
Convection in hot planets, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 15, 4617–4630,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GC005556, 2014. a
Roberts, J. H. and Zhong, S.: Degree−1 convection in the Martian mantle and the
origin of the hemispheric dichotomy, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 111, E6, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JE002668, 2006. a
Salvador, A., Massol, H., Davaille, A., Marcq, E., Sarda, P., and Chassefière,
E.: The relative influence of H2O and CO2 on the primitive surface conditions
and evolution of rocky planets, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet.,
122, 1458–1486, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JE005286, 2017. a, b, c, d
Sears, W. D.: Tidal Dissipation and the Giant Impact Origin for the Moon,
in: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, vol. 23 of Lunar and
Planetary Inst. Technical Report, 16–20 March 1992, Houston, Texas, 1992. a
Solomatov, V.: 9.04 – Magma Oceans and Primordial Mantle Differentiation, in: Treatise on Geophysics (Edition 2), edited by: Schubert, G., Elsevier, Oxford, UK, 81–104, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53802-4.00155-X, 2015. a
Solomatov, V. and Stevenson, D. J.: Nonfractional Crystallization of a Terrestrial Magma Ocean, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 98, 5391–5406,
https://doi.org/10.1029/92JE02579, 1993a. a, b, c
Solomatov, V. S. and Stevenson, D. J.: Kinetics of crystal growth in a
terrestrial magma ocean, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 98,
5407–5418, https://doi.org/10.1029/92JE02839, 1993b. a
Sonett, C. P., Colburn, D. S., and Schwartz, K.: Electrical Heating of
Meteorite Parent Bodies and Planets by Dynamo Induction from a Pre-main
Sequence T Tauri “Solar Wind”, Nature, 219, 924–926,
https://doi.org/10.1038/219924a0, 1968. a
Stixrude, L.: Melting in super-earths, Philos. T. Roy. Soc. A, 372,
20130076, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2013.0076 2014.
a
Stixrude, L., de Koker, N., Sun, N., Mookherjee, M., and Karki, B. B.:
Thermodynamics of silicate liquids in the deep Earth,
Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 278, 226–232, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2008.12.006, 2009. a
Tackley, P. J.: Modelling compressible mantle convection with large
viscosity contrasts in a three-dimensional spherical shell using the yin-yang
grid, Phys. Earth Planet. In., 171, 7–18,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2008.08.005, 2008. a
Tateno, S., Hirose, K., and Ohishi, Y.: Melting experiments on peridotite to
lowermost mantle conditions, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea.,
119, 4684–4694, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JB010616, 2014. a
Taylor, S. and McLennan, S.: The continental crust: Its composition and
evolution, Blackwell Scientific Publications,
312, 1985. a
Thomas, C. W., Liu, Q., Agee, C. B., Asimow, P. D., and Lange, R. A.:
Multi-technique equation of state for Fe2SiO4 melt and the density of Fe-bearing silicate melts from 0 to 161 GPa, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 117, B10206, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JB009403, 2012. a
Tonks, W. B. and Melosh, H. J.: Magma ocean formation due to giant impacts,
J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 98, 5319–5333,
https://doi.org/10.1029/92JE02726, 1993. a
Tosi, N., Yuen, D. A., de Koker, N., and Wentzcovitch, R. M.: Mantle dynamics
with pressure- and temperature-dependent thermal expansivity and
conductivity, Phys. Earth Planet. In., 217, 48–58,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pepi.2013.02.004, 2013. a
Urey, H. C.: The Cosmic Abundances of Potassium, Uranium, and Thorium and the
Heat Balances of the Earth, the Moon, and Mars,
P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 42, 889–891, 1956. a
Wang, X., Tsuchiya, T., and Hase, A.: Computational support for a pyrolitic
lower mantle containing ferric iron, Nat. Geosci., 8, 556–559,
https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2458, 2015. a
Xie, L., Yoneda, A., Yamazaki, D., Manthilake, G., Higo, Y., Tange, Y.,
Guignot, N., King, A., Scheel, M., and Andrault, D.: Formation of
bridgmanite-enriched layer at the top lower-mantle during magma ocean
solidification, Nat. Commun., 11, 548,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-14071-8, 2020. a
Yamazaki, D. and Karato, S.-I.: Some mineral physics constraints on the
rheology and geothermal structure of Earth’s lower mantle,
Am. Mineral., 86, 385–391, 2001. a
Zhang, S., Cottaar, S., Liu, T., Stackhouse, S., and Militzer, B.:
High-pressure, temperature elasticity of Fe- and Al-bearing MgSiO3:
Implications for the Earth's lower mantle, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 434, 264–273, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.11.030, 2016. a
Short summary
We use numerical models to investigate the thermo-chemical evolution of a solid mantle during a magma ocean stage. When applied to the Earth, our study shows that the solid mantle and a magma ocean tend toward chemical equilibration before crystallisation of this magma ocean. Our findings suggest that a very strong chemical stratification of the solid mantle is unlikely to occur (as predicted by previous studies), which may explain why the Earth’s mantle is rather homogeneous in composition.
We use numerical models to investigate the thermo-chemical evolution of a solid mantle during a...
