Abstract: Remarks on mantle convection and the Earth's evolution​

U. Walzer. Remarks on mantle convection and the Earth's evolution. In: Critical Aspects of the Plate Tectonics Theory, Vol.1:247-270, Theophrastus Publ. S.A. Athens, Greece, 1990.

Remarks on mantle convection and the Earth's evolution

U. Walzer

Abstract

A few unresolved problems of convection in the Earth's mantle are considered. It is discussed from both the geophysical and geochemical point of view, whether the flows reach from the core-mantle boundary up to the oceanic lithosphere or whether the bulk convection is taking place in two or more layers, apart from a few plumes. The seemingly solved question whether the Earth is essentially cooling down in the course of its history is raised anew. A simple model of the thermal development of the lower mantle is presented and verified.

Key words: geochemical reservoirs, mantle convection, internal energy, Gastil curve, magmatic activity, Hammerstein integral equation, episodes

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