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Deepest mantle viscosity: Constraints from Earth rotation anomalies
Author(s) -
Peltier W. R.,
Drummond R.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2010gl043219
Subject(s) - geology , mantle (geology) , post glacial rebound , geophysics , earth's rotation , polar , inner core , viscosity , geodesy , glacial period , physics , paleontology , thermodynamics , astronomy
The radial variation of viscosity from Earth's surface to the core‐mantle boundary is most accurately determined on the basis of observations related to the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) process. Beneath a depth of approximately 1250 km the primary constraints available pertain to the anomalies in Earth's rotational state that have previously been shown to be intimately linked to the same GIA process responsible for postglacial sea level variability. It is demonstrated that these anomalies are capable of resolving a difference between D″ viscosity and that of the overlying region which extends upwards to the 1250 km depth horizon. A “trade‐off” is shown to exist between the viscosities in these deepest mantle layers that may be resolved by the observed direction of true polar wander.

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