Finite-Frequency Tomography Reveals a Variety of Plumes in the Mantle
Resource
Science 16 303 (5656): 338-343
Journal
Science
Journal Volume
303
Journal Issue
5656
Pages
338-343
Date Issued
2004
Date
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
We present tomographic evidence for the existence of deep-mantle thermal convection plumes. P-wave velocity images show at least six well-resolved plumes that extend into the lowermost mantle: Ascension, Azores, Canary, Easter, Samoa, and Tahiti. Other less well-resolved plumes, including Hawaii, may also reach the lowermost mantle. We also see several plumes that are mostly confined to the upper mantle, suggesting that convection may be partially separated into two depth regimes. All of the observed plumes have diameters of several hundred kilometers, indicating that plumes convey a substantial fraction of the internal heat escaping from Earth.
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Type
journal article
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