Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection

Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection, written by specialists in the field, gathers state-of-the-art perspectives on the dynamics of plate tectonics and mantle convection. Plate tectonics is a unifying theory of solid Earth sciences. In its initial form, it was a kinematic theory that described how the planet’s surface is fragmented into several rigid lithospheric plates that move in relation to each other over the less viscous asthenosphere. Plate tectonics soon evolved to describe the forces that drive and resist plate movements. The Earth sciences community is now developing a new perspective that looks at plate tectonics and mantle convection as part of a single system. Why does our planet have plate tectonics, and how does it work? How does mantle convection drive the supercontinent cycle? How have tectono-convective modes evolved over the Earth’s history? How did they shape the planet and impact life? Do other planets have mantle convection and tectonics? These are some of the fascinating questions explored in this book.

This book started with a challenge from the editor to the authors to provide perspectives from their vantage point and open the curtain to the endeavors and stories behind the science.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
Preface
Chapter 1: Introduction to Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection
Abstract
References
Chapter 2: The Physics and Origin of Plate Tectonics From Grains to Global Scales
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1: Introduction
2: Grain-damage physics
3: Some applications to plate tectonic origins
4: Future directions: Intragranular defects in grain-damage models
5: Summary
References
Chapter 3: Energetics of the Solid Earth: Implications for the Structure of Mantle Convection
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Seismic observations on the structure of global mantle flow
3: Mantle energetics: Roles of gravitational energy release and viscous dissipation
4: Current gravitational energy release and viscous dissipation in the Earth's mantle
5: Non-hydrostatic internal deflections store relatively minor amounts of gravitational energy
6: If upward mantle flow occurs within a low-viscosity D″ + plume + asthenosphere circuit, then viscous dissipation will be concentrated in the highest resistance parts of this circuit
7: Mantle heat loss through the surface
8: Radioactive heat production in the Earth's interior
9: The Earth's Urey ratio and the mantle's “missing” energy supply
10: Secular cooling of the mantle can supply ∼6.3 TW of long-term power
11: The core supplies ∼>15 TW across the core-mantle boundary
12: K and U in the core do not provide the core's ∼> 15 TW missing source of energy
13: Does secular cooling of the core supply ∼> 15 TW across the core-mantle boundary?
14: Freezing of the inner core may occur over an 815 K temperature interval
15: Core segregation is probably associated with significant core heating with respect to the mantle
16: Implications of seismic and energetics constraints on the structure of mantle convection
17: Lower mantle flow: Pattern and speeds
18: Upward return flow circuit: Lower mantle plumes
19: Upward return flow circuit: Strong lateral flow within the base of the D″ layer
20: Upward return flow circuit: Strong lateral flow in a shallow plume-fed asthenosphere
21: Implications of a plume-fed asthenosphere beneath the surface tectonic plates
22: Speculations for the Earth's continents and core
References
Chapter 4: Influence of Mantle Rheology on the Formation of Plate Tectonic Style of Mantle Convection
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1: Introduction
2: Model description
3: Results
4: Discussion and summary
References
Chapter 5: Tectonic Strain Rates, Diffuse Oceanic Plate Boundaries, and the Plate Tectonic Approximation
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: The plate tectonic approximation
3: Concluding remarks
References
Chapter 6: Tectonics is a Hologram
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: The program of plate-like tectonic emergence in convection models: Pseudo-plasticity
3: The whole is bigger than the sum of the parts. The whole is smaller than the sum of the parts
4: Outlook
5: Final thoughts
References
Chapter 7: Internal Planetary Feedbacks, Mantle Dynamics, and Plate Tectonics
Abstract
Acknowledgment
1: Introduction
2: Thermal cycles, thermal-hydrocycles, and internal Earth cooling feedbacks
3: Mantle dynamics and mantle viscosity structure feedbacks
4: Boundary-layer interactions and plate-plume feedbacks
5: Plate tectonics-mantle dynamics feedbacks and bootstrap hypotheses
6: Discussion and conclusion
References
Further reading
Chapter 8: Tectono-Convective Modes on Earth and Other Terrestrial Bodies
Abstract
1: Historical introduction
2: Tectono-convective modes
3: Tectono-convective evolution of terrestrial bodies
4: Discussion
References
Chapter 9: The Past and the Future of Plate Tectonics and Other Tectonic Regimes
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: The past of plate tectonics
2: The present of plate tectonics
3: Beyond the Earth: Tectonics of other rocky planets and moons
4: Future of plate tectonics and other tectonic regimes
5: Notes on how to evolve our understanding of planets’ evolution
References
Chapter 10: How Mantle Convection Drives the Supercontinent Cycle: Mechanism, Driving Force, and Substantivity
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Numerical simulation of mantle convection
3: Dynamic interaction between mantle convection and continental drift
4: Driving force of plate motion
5: Mechanism and driving force of supercontinental breakup
6: Mechanism and driving force of supercontinental formation
7: Basal drag under continental plates
8: Stability of the cratonic lithosphere
9: Substantivity of the supercontinent cycle in the future
10: Summary
Appendix A. Descriptions of numerical simulation models
Appendix B. Supplementary material
References
Chapter 11: Observations and Models of Dynamic Topography: Current Status and Future Directions
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Present-day dynamic topography
3: Dynamic topography into the geological past
Data availability
References
Chapter 12: Feedbacks Between Internal and External Earth Dynamics
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: The ground up
2: The ground down
3: Merging concepts toward an integrative understanding of the Earth system
4: A long way to go
5: Closing remarks
References
Chapter 13: Co-Evolution of Life and Plate Tectonics: The Biogeodynamic Perspective on the Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic Transitions
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Biogeodynamics
3: Modern plate tectonics and biodiversity evolution
4: Biological evolution in Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic time
5: Mesoproterozoic single lid and the Neoproterozoic transition to plate tectonics
6: How the Neoproterozoic transition from single-lid to plate tectonics stimulated biological evolution
7: Conclusions and suggestions for future research
References
Chapter 14: Subduction Zones: A Short Review
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: History of subduction zone science
3: Subduction zone geology and geometry
4: Subduction zone kinematics
5: Subduction zone dynamics
6: End-member subduction zones: South America and Scotia
7: Conclusions and future perspectives
References
Chapter 15: An Evolutionary Perspective on Subduction Initiation
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: The Cenozoic offshore record
3: The onshore record
4: The mechanics of subduction initiation
5: Synthesis and future prospects
References
Chapter 16: Lithosphere–Mantle Interactions in Subduction Zones
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Boundary conditions
3: Material properties
4: Clever use of observations and model design
5: Long-term, time-dependent slab dynamics
6: Perspectives
References
Chapter 17: Mantle Plumes and Their Interactions
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: The larger context
2: Wilson, Morgan, and how the concept of mantle plumes came about
3: The role of mantle plumes in global geodynamics, and how I got into that game
4: Hotspots fixed or moving, tilted or vertical?
5: Mantle plumes and their role in defining reference frames for plate motions
6: Where and how do plumes form?
7: Plumes, plates and their interactions
8: Do plumes exist? The hunt for evidence
9: Challenges for the future: What we still don’t understand about plumes (actually, a lot …) and what new tools we might harness
Appendix: Supplementary material
Appendix: Supplementary material
References
Chapter 18: Evolution of Mantle Plumes and Lower Mantle Structure in Numerical Models Using Tectonic Reconstructions as Boundary Conditions
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Methods
3: Observations and analysis of geodynamic models
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 19: Rifting Continents
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Continental rifting
3: From rift to mid-ocean ridge to form a rifted margin
4: Rifting and society
5: Summary and perspective
References
Chapter 20: Mid-Ocean Ridges: Geodynamics Written in the Seafloor
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Mid-ocean ridge systematics
3: From decompression melting to oceanic crust emplacement
4: Cooling and building the oceanic lithosphere
5: Shaping the seafloor through tectono-magmatic interactions
6: A seafloor record of interior dynamics
7: Conclusions and perspectives
References
Chapter 21: Roles of Serpentinization in Plate Tectonics and the Evolution of Earth’s Mantle
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Characteristics of the mantle peridotite + water ⇔ serpentinite reaction
2: Serpentinization at Mid-Ocean Ridges
3: Serpentinization at transform faults and fracture zones
4: Serpentinization during plate bending at trenches
5: The paradigm shift
6: Geochemical and biological consequences of bend-fault serpentinization
7: Serpentinization, deserpentinization, and global tectonics
8: Outlook
References
Chapter 22: Numerical Modeling of Subduction
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Governing equations
3: Classes of subduction models
4: Model components and their challenges
5: Software
6: Future directions
References
Chapter 23: Literate, Reusable, Geodynamic Modeling
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: A very brief history of computational geodynamics
3: From reproducibility to reusability
4: Mathematical choices
5: An example: Underworld models
6: Discussion
References
Chapter 24: Perspectives on Planetary Tectonics
Abstract
Index

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Dynamics of Plate Tectonics and Mantle Convection

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Joao C. Duarte

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