Geophysical Constraints on Mantle Composition

C. R. Bina*, G. Helffrich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Geophysical observations provide a variety of constraints upon the composition of the Earth's mantle. Here we review those constraints. We summarize a number of geophysical methods, both seismological and electromagnetic. Structure (in density, seismic wave speeds, and electrical resistivity) ascertained through these methods, when combined with laboratory measurements of mineralogical phase relations, illuminate trade-offs between compositional and thermal variability. These methods also serve to highlight regimes of compositional heterogeneity, including those associated with subducting slabs, transport of volatiles, mantle plumes, and deep mantle scatterers of seismic energy. Finally, we focus upon the various complexities apparent in the lowermost mantle just above the core-mantle boundary.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Mantle and Core
PublisherElsevier Inc
Pages41-65
Number of pages25
Volume3
ISBN (Print)9780080983004
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Composition
  • Geophysics
  • Heterogeneity
  • Mantle
  • Resistivity
  • Seismology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • General Environmental Science

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