Publication Date:
2019-07-12
Description:
The mechanics of thermal plume formation and intrusion into the lithosphere are investigated using a combination of laboratory and numerical simulations. The sequence of events leading to lithospheric thinning and uplift by thermal plumes is established, and some numerical estimates of the time scales for each stage in this process are derived that are applicable to the mantle. It is demonstrated that the two-dimensional finite element computations successfully reproduce the qualitative features seen in the experiments, with a quantitative discrepancy of typically 30 percent or less. The results of some calculations on plume formation and intrusion into model lithospheres with a variety of rheologies are presented.
Keywords:
GEOPHYSICS
Type:
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227); 93; 15065-15
Format:
text
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