Earth’s thermal evolution, mantle convection, and Hadean onset of plate tectonics

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 334-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.G. Ernst
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Thermal Evolution

PLANETARY SELF-ORGANIZATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-282
Author(s):  
OLEG IVANOV
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical System ◽  
Heat Source ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Rotation Speed ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
The Earth ◽  
New Type

The general characteristics of planetary systems are described. Well-known heat sources of evolution are considered. A new type of heat source, variations of kinematic parameters in a dynamical system, is proposed. The inconsistency of the perovskite-post-perovskite heat model is proved. Calculations of inertia moments relative to the D boundary on the Earth are given. The 9 times difference allows us to claim that the sliding of the upper layers at the Earth's rotation speed variations emit heat by viscous friction.This heat is the basis of mantle convection and lithospheric plate tectonics.

scholarly journals What drives tectonic plates?

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. eaax4295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Coltice ◽  
Laurent Husson ◽  
Claudio Faccenna ◽  
Maëlis Arnould
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Consistent System ◽  
Tectonic Plates ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Ill Posed

Does Earth’s mantle drive plates, or do plates drive mantle flow? This long-standing question may be ill posed, however, as both the lithosphere and mantle belong to a single self-organizing system. Alternatively, this question is better recast as follows: Does the dynamic balance between plates and mantle change over long-term tectonic reorganizations, and at what spatial wavelengths are those processes operating? A hurdle in answering this question is in designing dynamic models of mantle convection with realistic tectonic behavior evolving over supercontinent cycles. By devising these models, we find that slabs pull plates at rapid rates and tear continents apart, with keels of continents only slowing down their drift when they are not attached to a subducting plate. Our models show that the tectonic tessellation varies at a higher degree than mantle flow, which partly unlocks the conceptualization of plate tectonics and mantle convection as a unique, self-consistent system.

Combining tomographic images and geodynamic modeling of past mantle flow: from simple analytical solutions to numerical inverse methods

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Colli
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Evolution ◽  
Past History ◽  
Tomographic Imaging ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
The South ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
Trade Offs

<p><span>Physics-based geodynamic modeling of mantle convection provide a unifying framework for solid-Earth sciences, explicitly linking together disparate fields such as tectonophysics, tomographic imaging, basin analysis, mantle mineralogy, geomorphology, global geodesy and the long-term chemical and thermal evolution of the mantle. Studying the evolution of mantle convection in time is particularly powerful as it reduces trade-offs, increase the possible linkages and the opportunities to cross-test hypotheses. But since mantle convection evolves over geologic timescales, its future evolution is precluded from us and we must focus on its past history.</span></p><p><span>Here I will show how geodynamic modeling of past mantle flow can be combined with tomographic imaging and geologic observations, highlighting the strengths of this approach and some of its potential pitfalls. I will use a series of case studies, starting from simple analytical solutions for channelized flow in the South Atlantic and Caribbean regions. I will move on to an application of sequential assimilation to the South China Sea, ending with computationally demanding large-scale numerical optimizations of past mantle flow.</span></p>

scholarly journals The influence of bulk composition on the long-term interior-atmosphere evolution of terrestrial exoplanets

2020 ◽  
Vol 643 ◽  
pp. A44
Author(s):  
Rob J. Spaargaren ◽  
Maxim D. Ballmer ◽  
Dan J. Bower ◽  
Caroline Dorn ◽  
Paul J. Tackley
Keyword(s):  
Plate Tectonics ◽  
Thermal Evolution ◽  
Bulk Composition ◽  
Dynamic Regime ◽  
Evolution Model ◽  
Terrestrial Planets ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Near Surface

Aims. The secondary atmospheres of terrestrial planets form and evolve as a consequence of interaction with the interior over geological time. We aim to quantify the influence of planetary bulk composition on the interior–atmosphere evolution for Earth-sized terrestrial planets to aid in the interpretation of future observations of terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres. Methods. We used a geochemical model to determine the major-element composition of planetary interiors (MgO, FeO, and SiO2) following the crystallization of a magma ocean after planet formation, predicting a compositional profile of the interior as an initial condition for our long-term thermal evolution model. Our 1D evolution model predicts the pressure–temperature structure of the interior, which we used to evaluate near-surface melt production and subsequent volatile outgassing. Volatiles are exchanged between the interior and atmosphere according to mass conservation. Results. Based on stellar compositions reported in the Hypatia catalog, we predict that about half of rocky exoplanets have a mantle that convects as a single layer (whole-mantle convection), and the other half exhibit double-layered convection due to the presence of a mid-mantle compositional boundary. Double-layered convection is more likely for planets with high bulk planetary Fe-content and low Mg/Si-ratio. We find that planets with low Mg/Si-ratio tend to cool slowly because their mantle viscosity is high. Accordingly, low-Mg/Si planets also tend to lose volatiles swiftly through extensive melting. Moreover, the dynamic regime of the lithosphere (plate tectonics vs. stagnant lid) has a first-order influence on the thermal evolution and volatile cycling. These results suggest that the composition of terrestrial exoplanetary atmospheres can provide information on the dynamic regime of the lithosphere and the thermo-chemical evolution of the interior.

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