Open AccessMantle Convection and the Thermal Requirements of Various Crustal Phenomena
Author(s) -
Oxburgh E. R.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
geophysical journal of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0016-8009
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1967.tb06256.x
Subject(s) - geology , mantle convection , geophysics , mantle (geology) , earth's internal heat budget , oceanic crust , convection , crust , underplating , mid ocean ridge , continental crust , petrology , peridotite , lithosphere , mechanics , subduction , seismology , tectonics , physics
Summary A generalized model for large‐scale mantle convection is set up, taking into account heat flow values measured on oceanic ridges and rates of movement suggested by continental drift. The problem of geisotherm distribution during steady laminar convection is approached by regarding heat as transferred from depth by a thermal boundary layer which surrounds an adiabatic cell core. The thermal characteristics of the ascending limb of such a cell are considered in connection with problems of (a) formation of basaltic magma by partial fusion of peridotitic upper mantle, (b) the formation of oceanic crust by hydration (serpentinization) of peridotite. The descending limb is evaluated as a potential source of energy for orogeny and regional metamorphism in continental crust.