Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agufm.u72b0033b&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2002, abstract #U72B-0033
Mathematics
Logic
1214 Geopotential Theory And Determination, 1229 Reference Systems, 3210 Modeling, 5450 Orbital And Rotational Dynamics, 8120 Dynamics Of Lithosphere And Mantle: General
Scientific paper
Under purely geocentric gravity, over time displacement under mantle convection is globally symmetrical, resulting in zero net lithosphere rotation. The effect is here explored of substituting the asymmetric Earth-Moon field, gconv, prevalent in actuality. The gravity responsible for mantle convection is defined as the vector sum of a vertical component and the day-averaged attraction of masses lagging tidal equilibrium. The increasingly accurately measured lunar recession may then be used to delimit the internal field in terms of the secular luni-tidal interval of the Earth as a whole, some 600 seconds [1], without having to identify tidal components i.e. separate marine from body tides. In context the astronomic phase-lag may be viewed as a global isostatic anomaly, in which the longitude circles marking Earth's gravimetric figure are located east of those describing its perpetually unattained equilibrium figure by some 89 km at the Equator. Reference the hydrostatic ellipsoid gconv is tilted by the astronomically delimited amount, albeit that the phase lag is attributable in part to the convection itself. As with the convection, the tectonic significance of its asymmetry is determinable geodetically. Using present art-state a strategically located GPS grid [2] would provide continuously more precise separation of the asymmetric component of surface displacement. In developing plate-motion models including members of the Nuvel series, it would be logical to follow up rather than discard the set permitting minor asymmetrical convection sans net torque, such as an element of net-lithosphere-rotation relative to plumes. To conserve system angular-momentum, this may be the only valid set. Characteristics of the convection to be expected accord with 'paradoxical' features of plate tectonics under purely radial gravity, including: difficulty in closing plate-motion circuits; net-lithosphere-rotation refce. hot-spots, sans net torque; geotectonic maps ranging from Wegener to the present day [3], identifying a 'global tectonic polarity'; and westward drift, of which the asymmetry may be regarded as its engine. In sum, Earth's mantle is subject to three non-reversing force systems acting in the direction of causing net surface-west horizontal displacement, namely: I, Weak and tectonically insignificant forces ('tidal drag'), in unison constituting GH Darwin's tidal retarding couple; II, The forces inducing cumulative vorticity (TVI) [4] in an imperfectly elastic mantle, under passage of tidal M2. The operation of this system is ineluctable, and based on stress and energy consumption is likely to be significant, but its quantification requires separation of the marine from the bodily tidal energy dissipation utilizing secondary effects [4,5]; and III, Buoyancy-forces under convection now recognized as fundamental in geotectonics; - as normally modeled, greatly superadiabatic and dissipative, but within a field gconv minutely west-tilted, rather than artifically devoid of the Moon. Asymmetry of its internal gravity is unique to the asynchronous member of Kuiper's Earth-Moon double planet. The asymmetry distinguishes Earth's steady-state convection from the episodic regime of its moonless and almost non-rotating 'identical twin', Venus. Refs: [1] Tuoma, J. and J. Wisdom, 1994. Astron. J. 108(5) 1943-1961. [2] RCB, 2002. Episodes: J. Int. Geosc. 25(3), in pr. [3] Doglioni, C., 1993. J. Geol. Soc. 150, 991-1002. [4] RCB, 2000. Tectonic Consequences of Earth's Rotation (Oxford UP) s.4.3. [5] Lambeck, K., 1988. Geophysical Geodesy: The Slow Deformations of the Earth (Oxford UP) s. 11.3.
No associations
LandOfFree
Two-Body Convection in the Mantle of the Earth: E/W Asymmetry, Under Astronomically Determined Tilt in g does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Two-Body Convection in the Mantle of the Earth: E/W Asymmetry, Under Astronomically Determined Tilt in g, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Two-Body Convection in the Mantle of the Earth: E/W Asymmetry, Under Astronomically Determined Tilt in g will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1892477