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Quantitative bounds on the size spectrum of isotopic heterogeneity within the mantle

Gurnis, Michael (1986) Quantitative bounds on the size spectrum of isotopic heterogeneity within the mantle. Nature, 323 (6086). pp. 317-320. ISSN 0028-0836. doi:10.1038/323317a0. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130312-144341180

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Abstract

Isotopic heterogeneities within the mantle, as sampled by oceanic volcanism, are reported to exist on all length scales; unfortunately, this fundamental observation has progressed little beyond the qualitative stage. The isotopic systematics of mid–ocean–ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean–island basalts (OIBs) are now being used to constrain the efficiency of convective mixing; one datum which could constrain convective mixing calculations is the size spectrum of chemical heterogeneity, but unfortunately this datum does not exist. Here I place quantitative bounds on the size spectrum of mantle heterogeneities, using the variations in ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios in oceanic basalts over different length scales. The spectrum is consistent with a flat spectrum filtered by magmatism. Such a white–noise spectrum indicates that there are many sources of anomalies at different wavelengths (with about equal magnitude), or that there is a global–scale source of anomalies operating continuously over thousands of millions of years, or some combination of both models.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/323317a0DOIUNSPECIFIED
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v323/n6086/abs/323317a0.htmlPublisherUNSPECIFIED
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Gurnis, Michael0000-0003-1704-597X
Additional Information:© 1986 Nature Publishing Group. Received 13 May; accepted 21 July 1986. I thank G. F. Davies and W. F. McDonough for helpful comments.
Group:Seismological Laboratory
Issue or Number:6086
DOI:10.1038/323317a0
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20130312-144341180
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130312-144341180
Official Citation:Quantitative bounds on the size spectrum of isotopic heterogeneity within the mantle 317 Michael Gurnis doi:10.1038/323317a0
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:37477
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:12 Mar 2013 22:02
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:29

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