Fluid dynamics of mantle plumes
Convection in the Earth's mantle is driven by the sinking of cold lithospheric plates at subduction zones and by the rise of hot plumes from the core-mantle boundary.
As the plumes rise, they are deflected horizontally by the large-scale flow driven by the sinking plates. In the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics...
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Convection in the Earth's mantle is driven by the sinking of cold lithospheric plates at subduction zones and by the rise of hot plumes from the core-mantle boundary.
As the plumes rise, they are deflected horizontally by the large-scale flow driven by the sinking plates. In the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics laboratory, we are investigating the formation and stability of these mantle plumes, using a range of novel experiments.
Relevant papers:
Kerr, R.C. and Meriaux, C. (2004) Structure and dynamics of sheared mantle plumes.
Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 5, Q12009, doi:10.1029/2004GC000749 (42 pages).