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Detailed Reference Information |
van Keken, P.E., Karato, S. and Yuen, D.A. (1996). Rheological control of oceanic crust separation in the transition zone. Geophysical Research Letters 23: doi: 10.1029/96GL01594. issn: 0094-8276. |
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Mineral physics observations suggest that distinct density and rheological differences exist between the crustal component of oceanic lithosphere and the underlying mantle. We have conducted numerical experiments to investigate the influence of both density and viscosity on the effectiveness of recycling of oceanic crust into the lower mantle. Confirming previous results, the density inversion at 670 km depth alone is not sufficient to prevent crustal recycling. However, a soft layer may exist between the strong garnet crust and cold slab interior. Models employing a simplified Newtonian sandwich model show that this thin, weak layer can effectively decouple the crust and slab. Once entrained into the lower mantle, the then lighter crust can rise sufficiently fast as a Rayleigh-Taylor instability to avoid further entrainment. These results suggest that the crustal component of slabs may be trapped at 670 km depth, leading to a garnet enriched transition zone. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1996 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Tectonophysics, Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle—general |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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