On the Models of the Lower Mantle Viscosity Consistent with the Modern Data of Core-Mantle Boundary Flattening |
| |
| Authors: | Molodensky S M Groten E |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Institute of the Physics of the Earth, Bolshaja Gruzinskaja 10, 123810 Moscow, Russia;(2) Institute of the Physical Geodesy, TU Darmstadt, Petersenstrasse 13, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | In Forte and Claire Perry (2000) models of mantle viscosity (by using the data on tectonic plate velocities, of global free-air gravity anomalies, of surface topography corrected for crustal isostasy, and the excess of dynamic ellipticity of the core-mantle boundary in accordance with Herring et al., 1986 and Mathews et al., 1999) have been constructed. In the following investigation we reconsider the results which are obtained from the presently available data on core-mantle boundary flattening (abbreviated by CMBF). In contrast with the aforementioned work, we use below the value of CMBF (Molodensky and Groten, 1998) which is based on a new approach to the theory of diurnal Earth tides and nutation which takes into account the second-order terms of expansions of a small parameter  (for a detailed discussion of this subject see (Molodensky and Groten, 1998)). Below we find the area of admissible values of mantle viscosity which does not contradict the following data sets: (a) the numerical value on CMBF; (b) the value of the whole Earth's dynamical flattening, and (c) the data on the secular deceleration of the Earth's rotation. Our estimations show, that the maximal viscosity at depth 2000 km may be of the order of 1027 Poise. This value is consistent with the distribution obtained by Trubitsin (2000) who adopted the viscosity dependence on temperature and pressure by an exponential function with olivine parameters under the assumption that the activation energy varies only weakly with pressure, and the activation volume varies in inverse proportion to temperature. Under these assumptions, his solution of convection equations gave the depth dependence of temperature and thereby the viscosity distribution. |
| |
| Keywords: | deep earth interior mantle anelasticity title parameters inproperly posed problem postglacial ablift small parameters solution Earth flattening outer core flattening |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
