Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni

Dynamic topography, plate driving forces and the African superswell

Discovering the connection between processes observed to occur at the surface of the Earth and its internal dynamics remains an essential goal in the Earth sciences. Deep mantle structure, as inferred from seismic tomography or subduction history, has been shown to account well for the observed surface gravity fieldand motions of tectonic plates. But the origin of certain large-scale features, such as the anomalous elevation of the southern and eastern African plateaux, has remained controversial. Whereas the average elevation of most cratons is between 400 and 500 m, the southern African plateau stands more than 1 km above sea level, with the surrounding oceans possessing a residual bathymetry in excess of 500 m (ref. 4). Global seismic tomography studies have persistently indicated the existence of a large-scale low-velocity anomaly beneath the African plate and here we show that mantle flow induced by the density variations inferred from these velocity anomalies can dynamically support the excess elevation of the African ‘superswell’. We also find that this upwelling mantle flow—which is most intense near the core–mantle boundary—constitutes a significant driving force for tectonic plates in the region.

A geodynamic model of mantle density heterogeneity

Using Cenozoic and Mesozoic plate motion reconstructions, we derive a model of present-day mantle density heterogeneity under the assumption that subducted slabs sink vertically into the mantle. The thermal buoyancy of these slabs is estimated from the observed thermal subsidence (cooling) of oceanic lithosphere. Slab velocities in the upper mantle are computed from the local convergence rate. We assume that slabs cross the upper/lower mantle interface and continue sinking into the lower mantle with a reduced velocity. For a velocity reduction factor between 2 and 5, our slab heterogeneity model is as correlated with current tomographic models as these models are correlated with each other. We have also computed a synthetic geoid from our density model. For a viscosity increase of about a factor of 40 from the upper to lower mantle, our model predicts the first 8 spherical harmonic degrees of the geoid with statistical confidence larger than 95% and explains 84% of the observed geoid assuming that the model C21 and S21 terms are absent due to a long relaxation time for Earths rotational bulge. Otherwise, 73% of the geoid variance is explained. The viscosity increase is consistent with our velocity reduction factor for slabs entering the lower mantle, since downwelling velocities are expected to scale roughly as the logarithm of viscosity (loge 40 = 3.7). These results show that the history of plate tectonics can explain the main features of the present-day structure of the mantle. The dynamic topography induced by this heterogeneity structure consists mainly of about 1-km amplitude lows concentrated along the active continental margins of the Pacific basin. Our model can also be used to predict the time variation of mantle heterogeneity and the gravity field. We find that the “age” of the geoid, defined as the time in the past before which the geoid becomes uncorrelated with the present geoid, is about 50 m.y. Our model for the history of the degree 2 geoid, which is equivalent to the history of the inertia tensor, should give us a tool to study the variations in Earths rotation pole indicated in paleomagiietic studies.

Influence of continental roots and asthenosphere on plate‐mantle coupling

The shear tractions that mantle flow exerts on the base of Earths lithosphere contribute to plate-driving forces and lithospheric stresses. We investigate the sensitivity of these tractions to sub-lithospheric viscosity variations by comparing shear tractions computed from a mantle flow model featuring laterally-varying lithosphere and asthenosphere viscosity with those from a model with layered viscosity. Lateral viscosity variations generally do not change the direction of shear tractions, but deeply penetrating continental roots increase traction magnitudes by a factor of 2-5 compared to 100 km thick lithosphere. A low-viscosity asthenosphere decreases traction magnitudes by a smaller amount, and is important only if >100 km thick. Increased plate-mantle coupling beneath thick continental lithosphere may increase plate-driving forces, surface deformation, and mantle-derived lithospheric stresses in these regions. By contrast, a low-viscosity asthenosphere does not decouple the lithosphere from mantle flow, highlighting the geological importance of mantle tractions on the lithosphere.

The temporal evolution of plate driving forces: Importance of “slab suction” versus “slab pull” during the Cenozoic

Although mantle slabs ultimately drive plate motions, the mechanism by which they do so remains unclear. A detached slab descending through the mantle will excite mantle flow that exerts shear tractions on the base of the surface plates. This slab suction"" force drives subducting and overriding plates symmetrically toward subduction zones. Alternatively, cold, strong slabs may effectively transmit stresses to subducting surface plates, exerting a direct slab pull"" force on these plates, drawing them rapidly toward subduction zones. This motion induces mantle flow that pushes overriding plates away from subduction zones. We constrain the relative importance of slab suction and slab pull by comparing Cenozoic plate motions to model predictions that include viscous mantle flow and a proxy for slab strength. We find that slab pull from upper mantle slabs combined with slab suction from lower mantle slabs explains the observation that subducting plates currently move similar to4 times faster than nonsubducting plates. This implies that upper mantle slabs are strong enough to support their own weight. Slab suction and slab pull presently account for about 40 and 60% of the forces on plates, but slab suction only similar to30% if a low-viscosity asthenosphere decouples plates from mantle flow. The importance slab pull has been increasing steadily through the Cenozoic because the mass and length of upper mantle slabs has been increasing. This causes subducting plates to double their speed relative to nonsubducting plates during this time period. Our model explains this temporal evolution of plate motions for the first time.

Cenozoic plate driving forces

Past studies of plate driving forces have concluded that the forces due to subducted slabs in the upper mantle and those due to the thickening of the oceanic lithosphere are the principal driving forces. We reexamine the balance of driving forces for the present-day and extend our analysis through the Cenozoic, using an analytical torque balance method which accounts for interactions between plates via viscous coupling to the induced mantle flow. We use an evolving mantle density heterogeneity field based on the last 200 Myr. of subduction to drive plate motions, an approach which has proven successful in predicting the present-day mantle heterogeneity field. We find that for plausible upper mantle viscosities the forces due to subducted slabs in the Cenozoic and Mesozoic account for in excess of 90% of plate driving forces and those due to lithospheric thickening for less than 10%.

Toroidal-poloidal partitioning of plate motions since 120 MA

Changes in plate motions and plate configurations during the Cenozoic and Mesozoic have been investigated extensively, but most geodynamical models have concentrated on present-day plate motions. We have investigated the recent evolution of plate tectonics by examining the history of toroidal-poloidal partitioning of plate motions. Taking into account estimated errors, our results suggest a significant increase in the ratio of toroidal to poloidal motions postdating the Hawaiian-Emperor (H-E) bend at 43 Ma, corresponding to an overall decrease in global plate motions. These changes may reflect greater mantle plume activity in the Mesozoic, but a causal mechanism is not obvious. In general, observed Cenozoic and Mesozoic plate motions do not appear to be random, which implies that they are correlated. We also find perhaps three significant changes in net rotation of the lithosphere with respect to hotspots since 120 Ma.

Viscosity jump in Earth’s mid-mantle

A mysterious mid-mantle slowdown The viscosity of Earths deep interior plays a key role in mediating plate tectonics. Rudolph et al. combined several geophysical data sets to model the viscosity of the mantle. Mantle viscosity abruptly increases below 1000 km. The increase could explain the stalling of subducting slabs and the deflections of hot upwelling plumes around this depth. Although the viscosity increase explains some recent unexpected observations, the origin of the jump itself remains a mystery. Science, this issue p. 1349 Geodynamic modeling reveals a large viscosity increase in Earth’s mid-mantle. The viscosity structure of Earth’s deep mantle affects the thermal evolution of Earth, the ascent of mantle plumes, settling of subducted oceanic lithosphere, and the mixing of compositional heterogeneities in the mantle. Based on a reanalysis of the long-wavelength nonhydrostatic geoid, we infer viscous layering of the mantle using a method that allows us to avoid a priori assumptions about its variation with depth. We detect an increase in viscosity at 800- to 1200-kilometers depth, far greater than the depth of the mineral phase transformations that define the mantle transition zone. The viscosity increase is coincident in depth with regions where seismic tomography has imaged slab stagnation, plume deflection, and changes in large-scale structure and offers a simple explanation of these phenomena.

Plate motion changes, the Hawaiian-Emperor bend, and the apparent success and failure of geodynamic models

Abstract Geodynamic models explain present-day plate motions in terms of mantle buoyancy forces arising from subducted lithosphere and lithospheric thickening, or from velocity anomalies mapped by seismic tomography. However, such models do not account for sudden plate tectonic reorganizations, such as the dramatic change in Pacific plate motion implied by the sharp bend in the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain about 43 million years ago. Candidate mechanisms for the Hawaiian-Emperor bend, such as subduction initiation, ridge subduction, or the possibly time-coincident collision between India and Asia, remain weakly formulated and largely untested. We test the India-Asia collision hypothesis using a model for Cenozoic plate motions driven mainly by buoyancy forces introduced at paleo-subduction zones, and we show that Pacific plate motion is virtually unaffected by the development of compressional stresses along the India-Asia margin. Geologic evidence suggests subduction initiation at about 43–48 Ma along a transform boundary on the western Pacific plate margin, but this mechanism is difficult to test. We speculate that transform boundaries may guide plate motions for long periods of time, and that rapid plate motion changes may result from the creation or destruction of major transform faults. Speculations aside, our results show that the character of global plate motion changes is not adequately explained by current geodynamic models.

Faster seafloor spreading and lithosphere production during the mid-Cenozoic

Concurrent changes in seawater chemistry, sea level, and climate since the mid-Cretaceous are thought to result from an ongoing decrease in the global rate of lithosphere production at ridges. The present-day area distribution of seafloor ages, however, is most easily explained if lithosphere production rates were nearly constant during the past 180 m.y. We examined spatial gradients of present-day seafloor ages and inferred ages for the subducted Farallon plate to construct a history of spreading rates in each major ocean basin since ca. 140 Ma, revealing dramatic Cenozoic events. Globally, seafloor spreading rates increased by similar to 20% during the early Cenozoic due to an increase in plate speeds in the Pacific basin. Since then, subduction of the fast-spreading Pacific-Farallon ridge system has led to a 12% decrease in average global spreading rate and an 18% or more decrease in the total rate of lithosphere production by the most conservative estimates. These rapid changes during the Cenozoic defy models of steady-state seafloor formation, and demonstrate the time-dependent and evolving nature of plate tectonics on Earth.

Time variability in Cenozoic reconstructions of mantle heat flow: Plate tectonic cycles and implications for Earth's thermal evolution

The thermal evolution of Earth is governed by the rate of secular cooling and the amount of radiogenic heating. If mantle heat sources are known, surface heat flow at different times may be used to deduce the efficiency of convective cooling and ultimately the temporal character of plate tectonics. We estimate global heat flow from 65 Ma to the present using seafloor age reconstructions and a modified half-space cooling model, and we find that heat flow has decreased by ∼0.15% every million years during the Cenozoic. By examining geometric trends in plate reconstructions since 120 Ma, we show that the reduction in heat flow is due to a decrease in the area of ridge-proximal oceanic crust. Even accounting for uncertainties in plate reconstructions, the rate of heat flow decrease is an order of magnitude faster than estimates based on smooth, parameterized cooling models. This implies that heat flow experiences short-term fluctuations associated with plate tectonic cyclicity. Continental separation does not appear to directly control convective wavelengths, but rather indirectly affects how oceanic plate systems adjust to accommodate global heat transport. Given that todays heat flow may be unusually low, secular cooling rates estimated from present-day values will tend to underestimate the average cooling rate. Thus, a mechanism that causes less efficient tectonic heat transport at higher temperatures may be required to prevent an unreasonably hot mantle in the recent past.