Wave transport in deep mantle materials
Abstract
Theoretical and experimental studies of solitary wave transport of deep mantle materials are reported. Both approaches reveal that solitary waves trap material in a cell with closed streamlines and that the central streamline velocity is faster than the wave speed. Hence, parcels of deep material are transported directly upward over large distances. Material in these parcels is far less contaminated by diffusion from the surroundings than would be material in ordinary pipe flow. Also, solitary waves are more efficient than buoyant spheres at conveying material upward. It is suggested that such waves might exist in the earth's mantle, conveying uncontaminated deep mantle material to the earth's surface.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- November 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1038/336059a0
- Bibcode:
- 1988Natur.336...59W
- Keywords:
-
- Earth Mantle;
- Solitary Waves;
- Transport Theory;
- Wave Propagation;
- Diffusion;
- Laminar Flow;
- Pipe Flow;
- Temperature Effects;
- Velocity Distribution;
- Viscous Flow;
- Geophysics