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Cited by 251High-pressure geophysics and materialsGeological and Geophysical StudiesGeological and Geochemical Analysis

Convection and the Large Scale Circulation of the Mantle

Richter, Frank M.·1973·Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI 10.1029/jb078i035p08735
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Abstract

The nonlinear interaction of Rayleigh-Benard convection with the large-scale flow that must exist in the mantle to balance the mass flux of moving lithospheric plates is considered by using both numerical and analytic models, The numerical models are two dimensional and include a simulated large-scale flow by explicitly considering a moving lithospheric plate overlying a fluid layer. The analytic model is more idealized but has the advantage of being three dimensional. Both types of models show that convective rolls with axes perpendicular to the lithospheric spreading direction (transverse rolls) decay on a time scale that depends on the spreading velocity and that may be as short as 50 m.y. The three-dimensional analysis shows that the transverse rolls are eventually replaced by rolls with their axes aligned with the direction of spreading (longitudinal rolls). The longitudinal rolls may be a significant vertical heat transport mechanism under the interior of plates, and thus it is suggested that three-dimensional models will be required to investigate terrestrial heat flow, The conclusions contain a speculative section suggesting a connection between the stresses on the lithosphere due to the longitudinal rolls and the emplacement of the linear island and sea mount chains typical of many oceans.

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Crossref · 10.1029/jb078i035p08735

Cites

16 of 16 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • It seems unlikely that Richter's analysis will be valid for mantle convection, where the Rayleigh number is probably between 10^? and 10^6, but his physical arguments concerning the plan form should still apply.

    “Though it seems unlikely that his analysis will be valid for mantle convection, where the Rayleigh number is probably between 10' and lo6, his physical arguments concerning the plan form should still apply.”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Richter (1973)

  • Richter showed that rolls not aligned in the direction of shear decay when the Rayleigh number is about 10^4.

    “He considered only the form of the small scale flow and showed that rolls not aligned in the direction of the shear decay when the Rayleigh number is =lo4.”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Richter (1973)

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Authors
Richter, F. M.
Corresponding author
Richter, Frank M.
ORCID
Richter, Frank M.
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Published
1973-12-10
Volume
78
Issue
35
Pages
8735-8745
ISSN
0148-0227 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1029/jb078i035p08735
OpenAlex
W2032410808
Cited by
251
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
FWCI
6.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 15240 d)
Locations
Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › High-pressure geophysics and materials
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geology › Geological and Geophysical Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
Keywords
mantle convection, Rayleigh-Bénard convection, lithospheric plate motion, vertical heat transport, geothermal heat flux

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