Geochemical and rheological constraints on the dynamics of the oceanic upper mantle

I provide constraints on mantle convection through observations of the rheology and composition of the oceanic upper mantle. Convection cannot be directly observed, yet is a fundamental part of the plate tectonic cycle. Relative motion among plates is accommodated by localized deformation at their boundaries. I demonstrate that in the ductile regime, strain localization occurs when different mineral phases are mixed together, limiting grain annealing. Upper mantle flow is by dislocation creep, resulting in seismic anisotropy due to mineral alignment. I use a shear zone in the Josephine Peridotite to quantify the relationship between mineral orientation and shear strain, providing an improved framework for the interpretation of seismic anisotropy. The upper mantle is generally assumed to be homogeneous in composition. From detailed isotopic and chemical analyses of abyssal peridotites from the Southwest Indian Ridge, I show that the mantle is heterogeneous at a range of length-scales. Abyssal peridotites recovered at ocean ridges are generally interpreted as the depleted residues of melt extraction. I find that melt-rock reaction is a significant part of the melt extraction process, modifying the composition of the lithospheric mantle. The generation of heterogeneous lithosphere provides a source for asthenospheric heterogeneity, via subduction and mantle convection.

Department dc:contributor.department

Joint Program in Marine Geology and Geophysics

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Warren, Jessica Mendelsohn

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Nobumichi Shimizu, Gregory Hirth and Henry J.B. Dick.

• Joint Program in Marine Geology and Geophysics.
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/42281
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/42281

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/42281