EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR) -- Kellogg et al. 1999

EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information

Kellogg et al. 1999

Kellogg, L.H., Hager, B.H. and van der Hilst, R.D. (1999). Compositional stratification in the deep mantle. Science 283(5409): 1,881-1,884.

A boundary between compositionally distinct regions at a depth of about 1600 kilometers may explain the seismological observations pertaining to Earth's lower mantle, produce the isotopic signatures of mid-ocean ridge basalts and oceanic island basalts, and reconcile the discrepancy between the observed heat flux and the heat production of the mid-ocean ridge basalt source region. Numerical models of thermochemical convection imply that a layer of material that is intrinsically about 4 percent more dense than the overlying mantle is dynamically stable. Because the deep layer is hot, its net density is only slightly greater than adiabatic and its surface develops substantial topography.

DATABASE QUICK LINKS

	EarthRef Digital Archive

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

	Abstract

Keywords
thermal-chemical instabilities, large-scale structure, earths mantle, convection, boundary, core, constraints, models, heterogeneity, density

Journal
Science
http://www.sciencemag.org/

Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science
1200 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005
1-202-326-6540
1-202-682-0816
webmaster@aaas.org