Contribution of locally tangential CMB-mantle flow and cold-source
subducting plates to ULVZ formation and morphology
Abstract
Ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) above the core-mantle boundary (CMB)
are significant structures that connect the lowermost mantle and outer
core. As “thin patches” of dramatically low seismic-wave velocity,
they are occasionally found near the base of mantle plumes and
in-or-near high seismic-wave speed regions above the CMB. The causes of
their morphological distribution and geodynamics remain unclear, and
simulation results of high-density melts diverge from seismic
observations. We introduced a two-dimensional time-dependent Stokes
two-phase flow (with melt migration) numerical model to investigate the
formation and morphological characteristics of ULVZs caused by
CMB-mantle tangential flows and a neighboring cold source (subducted
plate). We discovered that (a) the participation of cold sources with
temperature differences between ~4000 K at the plume
central regions to <~3900 K at the
plume-cooling mantle region, separated by horizontal distances of
approximately 100 (±<50) km are necessary for the stable
existence of dense melts with mass-density difference
>+1–2% (even +10%) with respect to the surrounding
mantle; additionally, (b) an enhanced tangential flow coincident with
the internal reverse circulation within the broad plume base (with
speeds >3 times the lowermost-mantle characteristic flow
speed) are necessary for higher aspect-ratio-morphology lenses
compatible with seismic observations. The CMB-mantle tangential flow
and/or outer-core interacting with CMB-topography may help generate
mega-ULVZs, particularly if they appear along the edges of large
low-shear-wave-velocity provinces (LLSVPs) and in/near high
seismic-speed “cold” zones. Thus, we infer that a strong link exists
between ULVZ morphology and the dynamic environment of the lowermost
mantle and uppermost outer core.