Joint mineral physics and seismic wave traveltime analysis of upper mantle temperature

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2009 Joint mineral physics and seismic wave traveltime analysis of upper mantle temperature Jeroen Ritsema; Jeroen Ritsema 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul Cupillard; Paul Cupillard 2Seismological Laboratory, University of California–Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Benoit Tauzin; Benoit Tauzin 3Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Wenbo Xu; Wenbo Xu 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lars Stixrude; Lars Stixrude 4Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni 4Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jeroen Ritsema 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Paul Cupillard 2Seismological Laboratory, University of California–Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA Benoit Tauzin 3Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg, 67084 Strasbourg, France Wenbo Xu 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Lars Stixrude 4Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni 4Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 19 Aug 2008 Revision Received: 19 Nov 2008 Accepted: 01 Dec 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2009 Geological Society of America Geology (2009) 37 (4): 363–366. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25428A.1 Article history Received: 19 Aug 2008 Revision Received: 19 Nov 2008 Accepted: 01 Dec 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Jeroen Ritsema, Paul Cupillard, Benoit Tauzin, Wenbo Xu, Lars Stixrude, Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni; Joint mineral physics and seismic wave traveltime analysis of upper mantle temperature. Geology 2009;; 37 (4): 363–366. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25428A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We employ a new thermodynamic method for self-consistent computation of compositional and thermal effects on phase transition depths, density, and seismic velocities. Using these profiles, we compare theoretical and observed differential traveltimes between P410s and P (T410) and between P600s and P410s (T660–410) that are affected only by seismic structure in the upper mantle. The anticorrelation between T410 and T660–410 suggests that variations in T410 and T660–410 of ~8 s are due to lateral temperature variations in the upper mantle transition zone of ~400 K. If the mantle is a mechanical mixture of basaltic and harzburgitic components, our traveltime data suggest that the mantle has an average temperature of 1600 ± 50 K, in agreement with temperature estimates from magma compositions of mid-ocean ridge basalts. We infer a 100 K hotter mantle if we assume the mantle to have a homogeneous pyrolitic composition. The transition-zone temperature beneath hotspots and within subduction zones is relatively high and low, respectively. However, the largest variability in T410 and T660–410 is recorded by global stations far from subduction zones and hotspots. This indicates that the 400 K variation in upper mantle temperature is complicated by tilted upwellings, slab flattening and accumulation, ancient subduction, and processes unrelated to present-day subduction and plume ascent. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.