HR: 08:00h
AN: U11B-01 INVITED    [Abstracts]
TI: A two Layer Convecting Mantle With Exchange : A Unified Model Based on Geochemical, Seismic and Heat Flow Observations
AU: * Allègre, C J
EM: allegre@ipgp.jussieu.fr
AF: IPGP, 4 place Jussieu, Paris, 75252, France
AU: Jaupart, C
EM: jaupart@ipgp.jussieu.fr
AF: IPGP, 4 place Jussieu, Paris, 75252, France
AU: Nolet, G
EM: nolet@princeton.edu
AF: Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, 320 Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
AB: The question of layered versus whole mantle convection has been pending since early models of mantle convection (Oxburgh and Turcotte, 1967; McKenzie and Richter, 1978). In a first phase, layered mantle models appeared to be the winners, because they explained most of geochemical observations. They of course also explained the seismic focal solutions (compressive/ non compressive) in subducting plate and the heat flow constraints (Richter, 1980). Later on, the discovery that slabs could penetrate the lower mantle was considered as proof of whole mantle convection. Most numerical experiments were then developed in this context, overlooking many geochemical observations such as rare gas isotopes or radioactive elements. In this presentation, we will examine the different data one by one. a) geochemical constraints include the budget equations for Sr, Nd, Hf, isotopes, the budget equation for He, Ne, Ar, the budget for heat producing elements U, Th, K (including Th/U and K/U ratios). (Allègre and al., 1979, 1982; De Paolo and Wasserburg, 1977; O'Nions and al.,1977). b) Constrains linking geochemical observations and geodynamics. How the so-called depleted mantle is generated ? Continuities and affinities between MORB and OIB, including the Dupal and Non Dupal provinces: The non-pristine source for OIB based on Pb isotope data. The marble cake structure for upper mantle. Continental crust recycling via sediments and delamination processes. In thise respect, we emphasize the difference in statistical variance of isotope or trace element ratios in the different/types of basalts reflecting the difference in stirring intensity in their sources. We also use information from extinct radioactivities 142Nd and 129Xe. In each case, we estimate the errors for measurements and models. c) The seismic evidence of slab penetration into the lower mantle are from Creager and Jordan(1984) to Van der Hilst et al.(1991), Sparkman and al.(1993), with the counter example of non-penetrating slabs as emphasized by Fukao and al.(2001) and the recent observation of the large energy spectrum differences at 670 km depth (Gu and al., 2006). We discuss the problem of return flow, which is crucial for both energy budget and convection regime. The recent work on plume by Montelli and al. (2004, 2006) shows the existence of broad plumes in the lower mantle and thin plumes in the upper mantle. d) The estimate of heat flow coming from the lower mantle of 35-32 TW. The work of Davies(1990) and Sleep(1992) shows clearly that this transfer is not the result of plumes reaching the surface, because they correspond at most to 3TW. At the reverse the estimated heat flow carried by the lower mantle plumes is much higher (Nolet and al., 2006). We also discuss the heat flow paradox to explain a Urey ratio of 0.4 with whole mantle convection. In conclusion, we propose mantle with two layers convecting separately but with some exchange of matter, this global exchange corresponding to 1.1024kg since 4.4 Gy. Plume genesis is a two-stage process. Lower mantle plumes heat the Mesosphere boundary layer generating second generation plumes which reach the surface (Allègre and Turcotte; 1983; Allègre, 1987). In the upper mantle itself, we have to distinguish between a vigorously convecting asthenosphere and a sluggish convecting transition zone, both convecting in same cells.
DE: 7208 Mantle (1212, 1213, 8124)
DE: 7270 Tomography (6982, 8180)
DE: 8120 Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general (1213)
DE: 8121 Dynamics: convection currents, and mantle plumes
DE: 8410 Geochemical modeling (1009, 3610)
SC: Union [U]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting