The Thermal State of the Upper Mantle; No Role for Mantle Plumes

Physics

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Tectonophysics: Earth'S Interior-Composition And State, Tectonophysics: Heat Generation And Transport, Tectonophysics: Stresses-Crust And Lithosphere

Scientific paper

A variety of geophysical data indicates that long wavelength temperature variations of the asthenosphere depart from the mean by +/-200°C, not the +/-20°C adopted by plume theoreticians. The `normal' variation, caused by plate tectonic processes (subduction cooling, continental insulation, small-scale convection) encompasses the temperature excesses that have been attributed to hot jets and thermal plumes. Geophysical estimates of the average potential temperature of the upper mantle are about 1400°C. Asthenospheric convection at ridges, rifts and fracture zones and at the onset of continental breakup is intrinsically 3D, giving rise to shallow pseudo-plume-like structures without deep thermal instabilities. Deep narrow thermal plumes are unnecessary and are precluded by uplift and subsidence data. The locations and volumes of `midplate' volcanism appear to be controlled by lithospheric architecture, stress and cracks.

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