UCL Discovery Stage
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery Stage

Small-scale convection in the Earth’s mantle

Ballmer, MD; (2017) Small-scale convection in the Earth’s mantle. [Review]. In: Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences. Elsevier: Amsterdam, Netherlands.

[thumbnail of Ballmer_et_al__SSC__2017__in_press.pdf] Text
Ballmer_et_al__SSC__2017__in_press.pdf - Accepted Version
Access restricted to UCL open access staff

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Small-scale convection (SSC) in the Earth‘s mantle contributes to intraplate deformation, heat flow, and volcanism. In this article, I give an overview over the causes and effects of SSC. SSC is a boundary layer instability that is driven by a density inversion, and mostly restricted to low-viscosity layers such as the asthenosphere. The density inversion that supports SSC can be related to thermal and/or chemical stratification. SSC is thought to occur beneath mature oceanic basins to restrict their subsidence and stabilize geothermal heat flux. The onset of SSC is preferentially triggered near lateral heterogeneity such as fracture zones or other steps in lithospheric thickness. SSC may also occur beneath continents, and seismic evidence for related perturbations has indeed been found. Both in continental and oceanic environments, SSC can cause dynamic topography and intraplate deformation, as well as melting of mantle rocks. Mantle melting can boost SSC through a positive-feedback mechanism, and most importantly, feeds intraplate volcanism. While plate tectonics and related natural hazards are mostly caused by large-scale whole-mantle circulation, intraplate geologic activity may be sustained by SSC in the upper mantle.

Type: Book chapter
Title: Small-scale convection in the Earth’s mantle
ISBN-13: 9780124095489
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09494-X
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09494-X
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Convection, Edge-driven convection, Heat flow, Mantle, Melting, Plume-lithosphere interaction, Seafloor flattening, Small-scale convection, Subsidence, Uplift, Volcanism
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Earth Sciences
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10073270
Downloads since deposit
46Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item