The thermochemical structure of West Antarctica from multi-observable probabilistic inversion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Ben Mansour ◽  
Douglas A. Wiens ◽  
Weisen Shen ◽  
Andrew J. Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
Gravity Gradients ◽  
West Antarctica ◽  
Major Element Composition ◽  
Mantle Viscosity ◽  
Mantle Rheology ◽  
Probabilistic Inversion

<p>The interaction between ice sheets and mantle dynamics is crucial to understanding the present-day topography in many regions (Antarctica, Patagonia, North America, Scandinavia) and recent ice mass losses on a large scale. A better knowledge of mantle rheology and the physical properties beneath these regions will improve our understanding of this interaction. To better characterize these processes, we investigate the present-day thermochemical structure (temperature and major-element composition) of the lithospheric and sub-lithospheric mantle. The thermal structure provides indirect information on variations in mantle viscosity, key parameter in glacial isostatic adjustment models (GIA). Recent geophysical studies in Antarctica show a relationship between mantle viscosity inferred from GIA and seismic velocity anomalies. Here we use a 3-D multi-observable probabilistic inversion method to retrieve estimates of the thermal and lithological structures (velocities and densities) beneath West Antarctica at a resolution of 1°x1°. The method is based on a probabilistic (Bayesian) formalism and jointly inverts Rayleigh wave dispersion data, bouguer gravity anomalies, satellite‐derived gravity gradients, geoid height, absolute elevation and surface heat flow. With the Markov chain Monte Carlo procedures applied here, we use highly optimized forward problem solvers to sample the parameter space and determine geological structure and feature with full characterization of their uncertainties. In this presentation, we will discuss the main results, interpretation in terms of mantle rheology, and its implication for GIA model in this region.</p>

A Global Map of Renormalised Mantle Dynamic Topography

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Kusznir ◽  
Leanne Cowie
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Dynamic Topography ◽  
West Antarctica ◽  
Mantle Viscosity ◽  
Western Cordillera ◽  
Velocity Anomalies ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Argentine Basin

<p>Comparison of predicted mantle dynamic topography with observed residual topography shows that the amplitude of predicted dynamic topography is too great (Cowie & Kusznir, EPSL, 2018). This over prediction of dynamic topography amplitude most probably arises from uncertainties in the conversion of seismic velocity anomalies from mantle tomography into density anomalies and uncertainties in upper and lower mantle viscosity structure, both of which are required to compute predicted dynamic topography.</p><p>Dynamic topography renormalisation, consisting of its rescaling and shifting, is determined by comparing predicted dynamic topography with observed residual topography for “normal” oceanic crust where observations are less prone to errors than for continents, margins and oceanic plateaus. Renormalisation is then applied globally to generate an improved map of dynamic topography for the continents, other remaining oceanic areas, and the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. An important caveat is that the renormalisation can only be calibrated for oceanic regions, and we assume that the same rescaling of predicted mantle dynamic topography can be applied to the continents.</p><p>We present and examine a new global map of mantle dynamic topography produced by renormalising the predicted dynamic topography of Steinberger et al. (2017) which includes seismic tomography above 220 km depth to determine shallow upper mantle densities.</p><p>Renormalised maximum amplitudes of mantle dynamic topography uplift for East Africa, the S.W. Pacific and Iceland are 1000, 750 and 750 m respectively. For mantle dynamic subsidence in the Argentine Basin of the S. Atlantic, the maximum amplitude is -750 m. Elongated regions of mantle dynamic uplift are predicted for the Western Cordillera of North America and West Antarctica with maximum values of 500 and 750 m respectively.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Feedbacks between a non-Newtonian upper mantle, mantle viscosity structure and mantle dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 224 (2) ◽  
pp. 961-972
Author(s):  
A G Semple ◽  
A Lenardic
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Lower Mantle ◽  
Mantle Convection ◽  
Mantle Flow ◽  
Mantle Dynamics ◽  
Plate Motions ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Mantle Viscosity ◽  
Flow Feature ◽  
Mantle Rheology

SUMMARY Previous studies have shown that a low viscosity upper mantle can impact the wavelength of mantle flow and the balance of plate driving to resisting forces. Those studies assumed that mantle viscosity is independent of mantle flow. We explore the potential that mantle flow is not only influenced by viscosity but can also feedback and alter mantle viscosity structure owing to a non-Newtonian upper-mantle rheology. Our results indicate that the average viscosity of the upper mantle, and viscosity variations within it, are affected by the depth to which a non-Newtonian rheology holds. Changes in the wavelength of mantle flow, that occur when upper-mantle viscosity drops below a critical value, alter flow velocities which, in turn, alter mantle viscosity. Those changes also affect flow profiles in the mantle and the degree to which mantle flow drives the motion of a plate analogue above it. Enhanced upper-mantle flow, due to an increasing degree of non-Newtonian behaviour, decreases the ratio of upper- to lower-mantle viscosity. Whole layer mantle convection is maintained but upper- and lower-mantle flow take on different dynamic forms: fast and concentrated upper-mantle flow; slow and diffuse lower-mantle flow. Collectively, mantle viscosity, mantle flow wavelengths, upper- to lower-mantle velocities and the degree to which the mantle can drive plate motions become connected to one another through coupled feedback loops. Under this view of mantle dynamics, depth-variable mantle viscosity is an emergent flow feature that both affects and is affected by the configuration of mantle and plate flow.

scholarly journals Mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet 1992–2016: reconciling results from GRACE gravimetry with ICESat, ERS1/2 and Envisat altimetry

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
H. Jay Zwally ◽  
John W. Robbins ◽  
Scott B. Luthcke ◽  
Bryant D. Loomis ◽  
Frédérique Rémy
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Mantle Material ◽  
West Antarctica ◽  
Mantle Viscosity ◽  
Grounding Line ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Total Gain

Abstract GRACE and ICESat Antarctic mass-balance differences are resolved utilizing their dependencies on corrections for changes in mass and volume of the same underlying mantle material forced by ice-loading changes. Modeled gravimetry corrections are 5.22 times altimetry corrections over East Antarctica (EA) and 4.51 times over West Antarctica (WA), with inferred mantle densities 4.75 and 4.11 g cm−3. Derived sensitivities (Sg, Sa) to bedrock motion enable calculation of motion (δB0) needed to equalize GRACE and ICESat mass changes during 2003–08. For EA, δB0 is −2.2 mm a−1 subsidence with mass matching at 150 Gt a−1, inland WA is −3.5 mm a−1 at 66 Gt a−1, and coastal WA is only −0.35 mm a−1 at −95 Gt a−1. WA subsidence is attributed to low mantle viscosity with faster responses to post-LGM deglaciation and to ice growth during Holocene grounding-line readvance. EA subsidence is attributed to Holocene dynamic thickening. With Antarctic Peninsula loss of −26 Gt a−1, the Antarctic total gain is 95 ± 25 Gt a−1 during 2003–08, compared to 144 ± 61 Gt a−1 from ERS1/2 during 1992–2001. Beginning in 2009, large increases in coastal WA dynamic losses overcame long-term EA and inland WA gains bringing Antarctica close to balance at −12 ± 64 Gt a−1 by 2012–16.

scholarly journals A New Hybrid Inversion Method for 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Combining TSVD and Tikhonov Regularization

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Germana Landi ◽  
Fabiana Zama ◽  
Villiam Bortolotti
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Tikhonov Regularization ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regularization Parameter ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
Nmr Relaxometry ◽  
Value Decomposition ◽  
Nuclear Magnetic

This paper is concerned with the reconstruction of relaxation time distributions in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry. This is a large-scale and ill-posed inverse problem with many potential applications in biology, medicine, chemistry, and other disciplines. However, the large amount of data and the consequently long inversion times, together with the high sensitivity of the solution to the value of the regularization parameter, still represent a major issue in the applicability of the NMR relaxometry. We present a method for two-dimensional data inversion (2DNMR) which combines Truncated Singular Value Decomposition and Tikhonov regularization in order to accelerate the inversion time and to reduce the sensitivity to the value of the regularization parameter. The Discrete Picard condition is used to jointly select the SVD truncation and Tikhonov regularization parameters. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method on both simulated and real NMR measurements.

The relation between seismic P‐ and S‐wave velocity dispersion in saturated rocks

Geophysics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Mavko ◽  
Diane Jizba
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Ultrasonic Velocities ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
Shear Compliance

Seismic velocity dispersionin fluid-saturated rocks appears to be dominated by tow mecahnisms: the large scale mechanism modeled by Biot, and the local flow or squirt mecahnism. The tow mechanisms can be distuinguished by the ratio of P-to S-wave dispersions, or more conbeniently, by the ratio of dynamic bulk to shear compliance dispersions derived from the wave velocities. Our formulation suggests that when local flow denominates, the dispersion of the shear compliance will be approximately 4/15 the dispersion of the compressibility. When the Biot mechanism dominates, the constant of proportionality is much smaller. Our examination of ultrasonic velocities from 40 sandstones and granites shows that most, but not all, of the samples were dominated by local flow dispersion, particularly at effective pressures below 40 MPa.

scholarly journals Gravity constraints on structure of the East-West Antarctic lithospheric transition zone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Treweek
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Gravity Models ◽  
West Antarctica ◽  
Asthenospheric Mantle ◽  
Surface Uplift ◽  
Mantle Viscosity ◽  
Taylor Valley

<p><b>The differing structural evolution of cratonic East Antarctica and younger West Antarctica has resulted in contrasting lithospheric and asthenospheric mantle viscosities between the two regions. Combined with poor constraints on the upper mantle viscosity structure of the continent, estimates of surface uplift in Antarctica predicted from models of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and observed by Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS) contain large misfits. This thesis presents a gravity study ofthe lithospheric transition zone beneath the Taylor Valley, Antarctica, conducted to constrain the variation in lithological parameters such as viscosity and density of the upper mantle across this region.</b></p> <p>During this study 119 new gravity observations were collected in the ice-free regions of the Taylor Valley and amalgamated with 154 existing land-based gravity observations, analysed alongside aerogravity measurements of southern Victoria Land. Gravity data are used to construct 2D gravity models of the subsurface beneath this region. An eastward gradient in Bouguer anomalies of ~- 1.6 mGal/km is observed within the Taylor Valley. Models reveal thickening of the Moho from 23±5 km beneath the Ross Sea to 35±5 km in the Polar Plateau (dipping at 24.5±7.2°), and lithospheric mantle 100 km thicker in East Antarctica (~200±30 km) than West Antarctica (~90±30 km). </p> <p>Models of predicted surface uplift history are used to estimate an asthenospheric mantle viscosity of 2.1x1020 Pa.s at full surface recovery beneath the Ross Embayment, differing by ~14% from the viscosity at 50% recovery. The temperature contrast between lithospheric and asthenospheric mantle is estimated as ~400°C, equivalent to a viscosity that decreases by a factor of about 30 over the mantle boundary.</p> <p>Results demonstrate that the history of surface uplift in the study area may be complicated, resulting in observations of uplift, or subsidence, at GNSS stations. Future work should incorporate additional geophysical methods, such as seismicity and electrical resistivity, improving constraints on gravity models. A better understanding of the surface uplift (or subsidence) history in the Transantarctic Mountains is critical, with implications in reducing uncertainty in GIA models.</p>

scholarly journals Watermasses as a unifying framework for understanding the Southern Ocean carbon cycle

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 3393-3451 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Iudicone ◽  
I. Stendardo ◽  
O. Aumont ◽  
K. B. Rodgers ◽  
G. Madec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermohaline Circulation ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Polar Front ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
Co2 Fluxes ◽  
Meridional Transport ◽  
Regional Patterns

Abstract. A watermass-based framework is presented for a quantitative understanding of the processes controlling the cycling of carbon in the Southern Ocean. The approach is developed using a model simulation of the global carbon transports within the ocean and with the atmosphere. It is shown how the watermass framework sheds light on the interplay between biology, air-sea gas exchange, and internal ocean transport including diapycnal processes, and the way in which this interplay controls the large-scale ocean-atmosphere carbon exchange. The simulated pre-industrial regional patterns of DIC distribution and the global distribution of the pre-industrial air-sea CO2 fluxes compare well with other model results and with results from an ocean inversion method. The main differences are found in the Southern Ocean where the model presents a stronger CO2 outgassing south of the polar front, a result of the upwelling of DIC-rich deep waters into the surface layer. North of the subantarctic front the typical temperature-driven solubility effect produces a net ingassing of CO2. The biological controls on surface CO2 fluxes through primary production is generally smaller than the temperature effect on solubility. Novel to this study is also a Lagrangian trajectory analysis of the meridional transport of DIC. The analysis allows to evaluate the contribution of separate branches of the global thermohaline circulation (identified by watermasses) to the vertical distribution of DIC throughout the Southern Ocean and towards the global ocean. The most important new result is that the overturning associated with Subantarctic Mode Waters sustains a northward net transport of DIC (15.7×107 mol/s across 30° S). This new finding, which has also relevant implications on the prediction of anthropogenic carbon redistribution, results from the specific mechanism of SAMW formation and its source waters whose consequences on tracer transports are analyzed for the first time in this study.

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