Physics
Scientific paper
Feb 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012pepi..192...68n&link_type=abstract
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Volume 192, p. 68-80.
Physics
Scientific paper
Viscosity of the D″ layer of the Earth's mantle, the lowermost layer in the Earth's mantle, controls a number of geodynamic processes, but a robust estimate of its viscosity has been hampered by the lack of relevant observations. A commonly used analysis of geophysical signals in terms of heterogeneity in seismic wave velocities suffers from major uncertainties in the velocity-to-density conversion factor, and the glacial rebound observations have little sensitivity to the D″ layer viscosity. We show that the decay of Chandler wobble and semi-diurnal to 18.6 years tidal deformation combined with the constraints from the postglacial isostatic adjustment observations suggest that the effective viscosity in the bottom ˜300 km layer is 1019-1020 Pa s, and also the effective viscosity of the bottom part of the D″ layer (˜100 km thickness) is less than 1018 Pa s. Such a viscosity structure of the D″ layer would be a natural consequence of a steep temperature gradient in the D″ layer, and will facilitate small scale convection and melt segregation in the D″ layer.
Karato Shun-Ichiro
Nakada Masao
No associations
LandOfFree
Low viscosity of the bottom of the Earth's mantle inferred from the analysis of Chandler wobble and tidal deformation 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 Low viscosity of the bottom of the Earth's mantle inferred from the analysis of Chandler wobble and tidal deformation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low viscosity of the bottom of the Earth's mantle inferred from the analysis of Chandler wobble and tidal deformation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1380190