A very slow basal layer underlying large-scale low-velocity anomalies in the lower mantle beneath the Pacific: evidence from core phases

Several different kinds of seismological data, spanning more than three orders of magnitude in frequency, have been employed in the study of the Earth’s large-scale three-dimensional structure. These yield different but overlapping information, which is leading to a coherent picture of the Earth’s internal heterogeneity. In this article we describe several methods of seismic inversion and intercom pare the resulting models. Models of upper-mantle shear velocity based upon mantle waveforms (Woodhouse & Dziewonski ( J. geophys. Res . 89 , 5953-5986 (1984))) ( f ≲ 7 mHz) and long-period body waveforms ( f ≲ 20 mHz; Woodhouse & Dziewonski ( Eos, Wash . 67 , 307 (1986))) show the mid-oceanic ridges to be the major low-velocity anomalies in the uppermost mantle, together with regions in the western Pacific, characterized by back-arc volcanism. High velocities are associated with the continents, and in particular with the continental shields, extending to depths in excess of 300 km. By assuming a given ratio between density and wave velocity variations, and a given mantle viscosity structure, such models have been successful in explaining some aspects of observed plate motion in terms of thermal convection in the mantle (Forte & Peltier ( J. geophys. Res . 92 , 3645-3679 (1987))). An im portant qualitative conclusion from such analysis is that the magnitude of the observed seismic anomalies is of the order expected in a convecting system having the viscosity, tem perature derivatives and flow rates which characterize the mantle. Models of the lower mantle based upon P-wave arrival times ( f ≈ 1 Hz; Dziewonski ( J. geophys. Res . 89 , 5929-5952 (1984)); Morelli & Dziewonski ( Eos, Wash . 67 , 311 (1986))) SH waveforms ( f ≈ mHz; Woodhouse & Dziewonski (1986)) and free oscillations (Giardini et al . ( Nature, Lond . 325 , 405-411 (1987); J. geophys. Res. 93 , 13716—13742 (1988))) ( f ≈ 0.5-5 mHz) show a very long wavelength pattern, largely contained in spherical harmonics of degree 2, which is present over a large range of depths (1000-2700 km). This anomaly has been detected in both compressional and shear wave velocities, and yields a ratio of relative perturbations in v s and v P in the lower mantle in the range 2-2.5. Such values, which are much larger than has sometimes been assumed, roughly correspond to the case that perturbations in shear modulus dominate those in bulk modulus. It is this anomaly that is mainly responsible for the observed low-degree geoid undulations (Hager et al. Nature, Lond . 313 , 541-545 (1985))). In the upper part of the lower mantle this pattern consists of a high-velocity feature skirting the subduction zones of the Pacific and extending from Indonesia to the Mediterranean, with low velocities elsewhere; thus it appears to be associated with plate convergence and subduction. The pattern of wave speeds in the lowermost mantle is such that approximately 80% of hot spots are in regions of lower than average velocities in the D" region. The topography of the core-mantle boundary, determined from the arrival times of reflected and transmitted waves (Morelli & Dziewonski ( Nature, Lond . 325 , 678-683 (1987))), exhibits a pattern of depressions encircling the Pacific, having an amplitude of approximately ± 5 km, which has been shown to be consistent with the stresses induced by density anomalies inferred from tom ographic models of the lower mantle (Forte & Peltier ( Tectonphysics (In the press.) (1989))). By using both free oscillations (Woodhouse et al . ( Geophys. Res. Lett . 13 , 1549-1552 (1986))) and travel-time data (Morelli et al . ( Geophys. Res. Lett . 13 , 1545—1548 (1986))), the inner core has been found to be anisotropic, exhibiting high velocities for waves propagating parallel to the Earth ’s rotation axis and low velocities in the equatorial plane. Tomographic models represent an instantaneous, low-resolution image of a convecting system. They require for their detailed interpretation knowledge of mineral and rock properties that are, as yet, poorly known but that laboratory experiments can potentially determ ine. The fact that the present distribution of seismic anomalies must represent the current configuration of therm al and compositional heterogeneity advected by m antle flow, imposes a complex set of constraints on the possible modes of convection in the m antle of which the implications have not yet been worked out; this will require num erical modelling of convection in three dimensions, which only recently has become feasible. Thus the interpretation of the ‘geographical’ information from seismology in terms of geodynamical processes is a matter of considerable complexity, and we may expect that a number of the conclusions to be drawn from the seismological results lie in the future.

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The sound velocity of wüstite at high pressures: implications for low-velocity anomalies at the base of the lower mantle

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science ◽

10.1186/s40645-020-00333-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ryosuke Tanaka ◽

Tatsuya Sakamaki ◽

Eiji Ohtani ◽

Hiroshi Fukui ◽

Seiji Kamada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sound Velocity ◽

Lower Mantle ◽

High Pressures ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Velocity Anomalies

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Coupled dynamics and evolution of primordial and recycled heterogeneity in Earth's lower mantle

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-12-2087-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 2087-2107

Author(s):

Anna Johanna Pia Gülcher ◽

Maxim Dionys Ballmer ◽

Paul James Tackley

Keyword(s):

Lower Mantle ◽

Large Scale ◽

Basal Layer ◽

Global Scale ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Mantle Heterogeneity ◽

Mantle Evolution ◽

Earth Like Planets ◽

Material Volume

Abstract. The nature of compositional heterogeneity in Earth's lower mantle remains a long-standing puzzle that can inform about the long-term thermochemical evolution and dynamics of our planet. Here, we use global-scale 2D models of thermochemical mantle convection to investigate the coupled evolution and mixing of (intrinsically dense) recycled and (intrinsically strong) primordial heterogeneity in the mantle. We explore the effects of ancient compositional layering of the mantle, as motivated by magma ocean solidification studies, and of the physical parameters of primordial material. Depending on these physical parameters, our models predict various regimes of mantle evolution and heterogeneity preservation over 4.5 Gyr. Over a wide parameter range, primordial and recycled heterogeneity are predicted to co-exist with each other in the lower mantle of Earth-like planets. Primordial material usually survives as medium- to large-scale blobs (or streaks) in the mid-mantle, around 1000–2000 km depth, and this preservation is largely independent of the initial primordial-material volume. In turn, recycled oceanic crust (ROC) persists as large piles at the base of the mantle and as small streaks everywhere else. In models with an additional dense FeO-rich layer initially present at the base of the mantle, the ancient dense material partially survives at the top of ROC piles, causing the piles to be compositionally stratified. Moreover, the addition of such an ancient FeO-rich basal layer significantly aids the preservation of the viscous domains in the mid-mantle. Finally, we find that primordial blobs are commonly directly underlain by thick ROC piles and aid their longevity and stability. Based on our results, we propose an integrated style of mantle heterogeneity for the Earth involving the preservation of primordial domains along with recycled piles. This style has important implications for early Earth evolution and has the potential to reconcile geophysical and geochemical discrepancies on present-day lower-mantle heterogeneity.

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The role of water in Earth's mantle

National Science Review ◽

10.1093/nsr/nwz071 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 224-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Eiji Ohtani

Keyword(s):

Solid Solution ◽

Transition Zone ◽

Lower Mantle ◽

Water Solubility ◽

High Pressures ◽

Low Velocity ◽

The Core ◽

Velocity Anomalies ◽

Oceanic Sediment

Abstract Geophysical observations suggest that the transition zone is wet locally. Continental and oceanic sediment components together with the basaltic and peridotitic components might be transported and accumulated in the transition zone. Low-velocity anomalies at the upper mantle–transition zone boundary might be caused by the existence of dense hydrous magmas. Water can be carried farther into the lower mantle by the slabs. The anomalous Q and shear wave regions locating at the uppermost part of the lower mantle could be caused by the existence of fluid or wet magmas in this region because of the water-solubility contrast between the minerals in the transition zone and those in the lower mantle. δ-H solid solution AlO2H–MgSiO4H2 carries water into the lower mantle. Hydrogen-bond symmetrization exists in high-pressure hydrous phases and thus they are stable at the high pressures of the lower mantle. Thus, the δ-H solid solution in subducting slabs carries water farther into the bottom of the lower mantle. Pyrite FeO2Hx is formed due to a reaction between the core and hydrated slabs. This phase could be a candidate for the anomalous regions at the core–mantle boundary.

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Coupled dynamics and evolution of primordial and recycled heterogeneity in Earth's lower mantle

10.5194/se-2020-205 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Johanna Pia Gülcher ◽

Maxim Dyonis Ballmer ◽

Paul James Tackley

Keyword(s):

Lower Mantle ◽

Large Scale ◽

Basal Layer ◽

Global Scale ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Mantle Evolution ◽

Earth Like Planets ◽

Rich Material ◽

Geochemical Constraints

Abstract. The nature of compositional heterogeneity in Earth’s lower mantle remains a long-standing puzzle that can inform about the long-term thermochemical evolution and dynamics of our planet. Here, we use global-scale 2D models of thermochemical mantle convection to investigate the coupled evolution and mixing of (intrinsically-dense) recycled and (intrinsically-strong) primordial heterogeneity in the mantle. We explore the effects of ancient compositional layering of the mantle, as motivated by magma-ocean solidification studies, and of the physical parameters of primordial material. Depending on these physical parameters, our models predict various regimes of mantle evolution and heterogeneity preservation over 4.5 Gyrs. Over a wide parameter range, primordial and recycled heterogeneity are predicted to coexist with each other in the lower mantle of Earth-like planets. Primordial material usually survives as mid-to-large scale blobs (or streaks) in the mid-mantle, around 1000–2000 km depth. This preservation is largely independent on the initial primordial-material volume. In turn, recycled oceanic crust (ROC) persists as large piles at the base of the mantle and as small streaks everywhere else. In models with a dense FeO-rich layer that is initially present at the base of the mantle, the FeO-rich material partially survives at the top of ROC piles, causing the piles to be compositionally stratified. Moreover, the addition of an ancient FeO-rich basal layer in the lowermost mantle significantly aids the preservation of the viscous domains in the mid-mantle. Primordial blobs are commonly (but not always) directly underlain by thick ROC piles, and aid their longevity and stability. The preservation of primordial domains along with recycled piles is relevant for Earth as it may reconcile geophysical and geochemical constraints on lower mantle heterogeneity.

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Large-magnitude oceanic intraplate seismicity: Implications for lithosphere evolution

10.1130/2021.2553(10) ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Junjiang Zhu ◽

Sanzhong Li ◽

Huilin Xing ◽

Changsheng Wang ◽

Guoming Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indian Ocean ◽

Cross Sections ◽

Large Scale ◽

Mantle Flow ◽

Intraplate Seismicity ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Intraplate Earthquakes ◽

Velocity Anomaly ◽

The Indian Ocean ◽

Velocity Anomalies

ABSTRACT We analyzed 37 large oceanic intraplate earthquakes (M >6). The largest (M >7) are mainly concentrated under the Indian Ocean. Moderate events (6 < M < 7) are sparsely distributed under the Indian Ocean and other oceans where lithospheric ages are between 90 Ma and 20 Ma. Oceanic intraplate events related to mantle plumes or hotspots are rare, though low-velocity anomalies beneath hotspots are a common feature. Tomographic cross sections for Indian Ocean areas with large intraplate earthquakes indicate strong heterogeneity in the mantle. These earthquakes are explained by shallow stress variations caused by a combination of tectonic forces including slab-pull, ridge-push, drag by mantle flow, plume-push, and buoyancy forces as a consequence of low-velocity anomalies in the mantle. Oceanic intraplate seismicity in the Indian Ocean is related to the large-scale, low-velocity anomaly structure around the Ninety East Ridge.

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Coupled dynamics and evolution of primordial and recycled heterogeneity in Earth’s lower mantle

10.31223/x5dw6c ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Gülcher ◽

Maxim Ballmer ◽

Paul Tackley

Keyword(s):

Lower Mantle ◽

Large Scale ◽

Basal Layer ◽

Global Scale ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Mantle Heterogeneity ◽

Mantle Evolution ◽

Earth Like Planets ◽

Material Volume

The nature of compositional heterogeneity in Earth’s lower mantle remains a long-standing puzzle that can inform about the long-term thermochemical evolution and dynamics of our planet. Here, we use global-scale 2D models of thermo- chemical mantle convection to investigate the coupled evolution and mixing of (intrinsically-dense) recycled and (intrinsically- strong) primordial heterogeneity in the mantle. We explore the effects of ancient compositional layering of the mantle, as motivated by magma-ocean solidification studies, and of the physical parameters of primordial material. Depending on these physical parameters, our models predict various regimes of mantle evolution and heterogeneity preservation over 4.5 Gyrs. Over a wide parameter range, primordial and recycled heterogeneity are predicted to co-exist with each other in the lower mantle of Earth-like planets. Primordial material usually survives as mid-to-large scale blobs (or streaks) in the mid-mantle, around 1000-2000 km depth, and this preservation is largely independent on the initial primordial-material volume. In turn, recycled oceanic crust (ROC) persists as large piles at the base of the mantle and as small streaks everywhere else. In models with an additional dense FeO-rich layer initially present at the base of the mantle, the ancient dense material partially survives at the top of ROC piles, causing the piles to be compositionally stratified. Moreover, the addition of such an ancient FeO-rich basal layer significantly aids the preservation of the viscous domains in the mid-mantle. Finally, we find that primordial blobs are commonly directly underlain by thick ROC piles, and aid their longevity and stability. Based on our results, we propose an integrated style of mantle heterogeneity for the Earth, involving the preservation of primordial domains along with recycled piles. This style has important implications for early Earth evolution, and has the potential of reconciling geophysical and geochemical discrepancies on present-day lower-mantle heterogeneity.

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Imaging the East Asia using waveform tomography with massive datasets

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-13665 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hui Dou ◽

Sergei Lebedev ◽

Bruna Chagas de Melo ◽

Baoshan Wang ◽

Weitao Wang

Keyword(s):

East Asia ◽

Mantle Plume ◽

Upper Mantle ◽

High Velocity ◽

Deep Structure ◽

Indian Plate ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Velocity Anomaly ◽

The Pacific ◽

Velocity Anomalies

<p>We present a new shear-wave velocity model of the upper mantle beneath the East Asia, ASIA2021, derived using the Automatic Multimode Inversion technique. We use waveform fits of over 1.3 million seismograms, comprising waveforms of surface waves, S and multiple S waves. &#160;In total, data from 9351 stations and 23344 events constrain ASIA2021, which maps in detail the structure of the lithosphere and underlying mantle beneath the region. Our model reveals deep structure beneath the tectonic units that make up East Asia. It shows agreement with previous models at larger scales and, also, sharper and stronger velocity anomalies at smaller regional scales. High-velocity continent roots are mapped in detail beneath the Sichuan Basin, Tarim Basin, Ordos Block, and Siberian Craton, extending to over 200 km depths. The lack of a high-velocity continental root beneath the Eastern North China Craton (ENCC), underlain, instead, by a low-velocity anomaly, is consistent with the destruction of this Archean nucleus. Strong low-velocity anomalies are mapped within the top 100 km beneath Tibet, Pamir, Altay-Sayan area, and back-arc basins. At greater depths, ASIA2021 shows high-velocity anomalies related to the subducted and underthrusted lithosphere of India beneath Tibet and the subduction of the Pacific and other plates in the upper mantle. In the mantle transition zone (MTZ), we find high-velocity anomalies probably related to deflected subducted slabs or detached portions of ancient continent cratons. In particularly, ASIA2021 reveals separate bodies, probably originating from the Indian Plate lithosphere beneath central Tibet, with one at 100-200 km beneath Songpan-Ganzi Block (SGFB) and the other in the MTZ. A strong low-velocity anomaly extending from the surface to the lower mantle beneath Hainan volcano and South China Sea is consistent with the hypothesis of the Hainan mantle plume. The high-velocity anomaly beneath ENCC in MTZ can be interpreted as a detached Archean continent root. The Pacific Plate subducts beneath the eastern margin of Asia into the MTZ and appears to deflect and extend horizontally as far west as the Songliao Basin. The absence of major gaps in the stagnant slab is consistent with the origin of Changbaishan volcano above being related to the Big Mantle Wedge, proposed previously. The low-velocity anomalies down to ~ 700 km depth beneath the Lake Baikal area suggest a hot upwelling (mantle plume) feeding the widely distributed Cenozoic volcanoes in central and western Mongolia.</p>

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Class I Methanol Maser Emission in NGC 4945

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921317010687 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (S336) ◽

pp. 105-108

Author(s):

Tiege P. McCarthy ◽

Simon P. Ellingsen ◽

Xi Chen ◽

Shari L. Breen ◽

Maxim A. Voronkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Class I ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Extragalactic Source ◽

Maser Emission ◽

Methanol Maser ◽

Methanol Masers

AbstractWe have detected maser emission from the 36.2 GHz (4−1 → 30E) methanol transition towards NGC 4945. This emission has been observed in two separate epochs and is approximately five orders of magnitude more luminous than typical emission from this transition within our Galaxy. NGC 4945 is only the fourth extragalactic source observed hosting class I methanol maser emission. Extragalactic class I methanol masers do not appear to be simply highly-luminous variants of their galactic counterparts and instead appear to trace large-scale regions where low-velocity shocks are present in molecular gas.

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