Low viscosity channels and the stability of long wavelength convection

Mantle convection simulations with a low viscosity channel, akin to the Earth's asthenosphere, are characterized by long wavelength flow structure. Boundary layer theory predicts that as the viscosity of the channel decreases, the wavelength that maximizes heat transfer increases. As a pattern selection criterion, this analysis is not complete. It provides no mechanism to relate the optimal heat transfer wavelength to the wavelength that is realized or preferred in nature. We present numerical simulation suites, for bottom and internally heated end-members, to demonstrate that the cell wavelengths that maximize heat transfer are also the most stable. This does not rule out the possibility of multiple wavelengths being realizable but it does imply that wavelengths near the stability peak will be preferred and, for the configurations we explore, the stability peak corresponds to the energetically most efficient flow configuration.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Ahmed, Omar Khalil

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lenardic, Adrian

• Geology
• Geophysics
• Plasma physics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/62121

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/62121