EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR) -- Morgan 1972

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Morgan 1972

Morgan, W.J. (1972). Deep Mantle Convection Plumes and Plate Motions. EOS, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union 56(2): 203-213.

Evidence shows that volcanic island chains and aseismic ridges are formed by plate motion over fixed-mantle 'hot-spots' (Iceland, Hawaii, Galapagos, etc.) and new arguments link these hot-spots with the driving mechanism of continental drift. It is assumed that the hot-spots are surface expressions of deep mantle plumes roughly 150 km in diameter, rising 2 m/year, and extending to the lowest part of the mantle. The rising material spreads out in the asthenosphere, producing stresses on the plate bottoms. Order-of-magnitude estimates show these stresses are sufficiently large to influence plate motion significantly. the total upward flow in the plumes is estimated at 500 cu km/year, which would require the entire mantle to overturn once each 2 billion years.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

	Abstract
	Abstract

	Table 1a
	Table 1b
	Table 1c
	Table 2a
	Table 2b
	Table 2c
	Table 2d
	Table 2e
	Table 2f
	Table 2g

Keywords
causes, continental drift, convection currents, currents, mantle, mantle plumes, processes, 18, Solid-earth geophysics

Journal
EOS, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union
http://www.agu.org/pubs/eos.html

Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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