A. M. Jellinek

Continents, supercontinents, mantle thermal mixing, and mantle thermal isolation: Theory, numerical simulations, and laboratory experiments

Super-continental insulation refers to an increase in mantle temperature below a supercontinent due to the heat transfer inefficiency of thick, stagnant continental lithosphere relative to thinner, subducting oceanic lithosphere. We use thermal network theory, numerical simulations, and laboratory experiments to provide tighter physical insight into this process. We isolate two end-member dynamic regimes. In the thermally well mixed regime the insulating effect of continental lithosphere can not cause a localized increase in mantle temperature due to the efficiency of lateral mixing in the mantle. In this regime the potential temperature of the entire mantle is higher than it would be without continents, the magnitude depending on the relative thickness of continental and oceanic lithosphere (i.e., the insulating effects of continental lithosphere are communicated to the entire mantle). Thermal mixing can be short circuited if subduction zones surround a supercontinent or if the convective flow pattern of the mantle becomes spatially fixed relative to a stationary supercontinent. This causes a transition to the thermal isolation regime: The potential temperature increases below a supercontinent whereas the potential temperature below oceanic domains drops such that the average temperature of the whole mantle remains constant. Transition into this regime would thus involve an increase in the suboceanic viscosity, due to local cooling, and consequently a decrease in the rate of oceanic lithosphere overturn. Transition out of this regime can involve the unleashing of flow driven by a large lateral temperature gradient, which will enhance global convective motions. Our analysis highlights that transitions between the two states, in either direction, will effect not only the mantle below a supercontinent but also the mantle below oceanic regions. This provides a larger set of predictions that can be compared to the geologic record to help determine if a hypothesized super-continental thermal effect did or did not occur on our planet.

Volcanic tremor and frequency gliding during dike intrusions at Kı̄lauea—A tale of three eruptions

To characterize syneruptive/intrusive deviations from background volcanic tremor at Kilauea, Hawai‘i, we analyze the spatial and temporal properties of broadband tremor during dike intrusions into the East Rift Zone (ERZ) in 2007 and 2011, as well as during explosive eruptive activity at Kilaueas summit in 2008. Background tremor was similar for each event, and the 2008 explosions did not affect its properties. In contrast, the intrusions were accompanied by departures from this background in the form of two phases of seismicity that were separated in space and time. In both 2007 and 2011, Phase I was characterized by a quick succession of discrete events, which were most intense at the onset of intrusion near the presumed locations of the dikes intruding into the ERZ. Phase II, marked by continuous broadband tremor around the summit, followed 10–14 h later. In 2007, Phase II tremor was accompanied by a monotonic downward shift (glide) of spectral peaks between ∼0.6 and 1.5 Hz over at least 15 h. During Phase II in 2011, a gradual upward and subsequent symmetric downward glide between ∼0.6 and 6.6 Hz occurred over 5–10 h, respectively. The spectra during both phases differed from the background and 2008, as well as from each other, indicating different physical mechanisms. Phase I in 2007 and 2011 is probably related to the mechanics of dike intrusion. Phase II tremor may be characteristic for evolving magma-bubble dynamics related to the geometry of the plumbing system and the style of magma flow.