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Mantle Convection: Rayleigh-Bénard Plus Plumes and Plates? Or Pekeris with Intrinsic Smaller Scales?

Anderson, D. L. (1995) Mantle Convection: Rayleigh-Bénard Plus Plumes and Plates? Or Pekeris with Intrinsic Smaller Scales? In: Plume 2 : Alfred-Wegener-Conference extended abstracts, July 17-21, 1995, Schloss Ringberg, Rottach-Egern, Germany. Terra nostra. No.3/95. Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung , Bonn [Germany], pp. 7-8. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20160323-091832503

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Abstract

There are three distinct mechanisms which might give rise to convection in the Earth's mantle: Rayleigh-Bénard takes place if the radial superadiabatic gradient exceeds a critical value, for a fluid heated from below. Convection may also be driven by internal heat sources or secular cooling. Convection grows from unstable perturbations to a static equilibrium. No equilibrium is possible if horizontal temperature gradients are present; convection will start if there is any horizontal thermal gradient no matter how small. There is no critical Rayleigh number. This type of convection was first discussed by Pekeris (1935) in the context of an irregular distribution of continental crust on the surface.


Item Type:Book Section
Alternate Title:Pekeris with Intrinsic Smaller Scales
Additional Information:© 1995 Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung.
Subject Keywords:Earth (Planet) ; Crust ; Geophysics ; Mantle ; Volcanic plumes
Series Name:Terra nostra
Issue or Number:3/95
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20160323-091832503
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20160323-091832503
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:65611
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:25 Mar 2016 23:11
Last Modified:03 Oct 2019 09:48

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