Contribution of tangential CMB-mantle flow between hot mantle plumes and
cold downwellings to ULVZ formation and morphology
Abstract
Ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs) above the core-mantle boundary (CMB)
are observed structures that may be related to the liquid outer-core. As
”thin patches” of dramatically low seismic-wave velocity, they are
occasionally found near the base of mantle plumes or in/near high
seismic-wave speed regions above the CMB. The causes of their morphology
and geodynamics remain unclear, and simulation of high-density melts
diverge from observations. We introduce a two-dimensional time-dependent
Stokes two-phase flow (with melt migration) numerical model to
investigate the evolution of high melt-fraction regions affected by
CMB-mantle tangential flows, amidst a hot mantle plume and an optional
neighboring cold downwelling. We find 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 flanks, separated by horizontal distances of approximately
100 ±50 km are necessary for dense melts (fractional mass-density
difference >+1–2%, <+10%) to attain total-mass
quasi-stability, (b) an enhanced tangential-horizontal flow in reverse
circulation within the broad plume base (with speeds >1–3
times the lowermost-mantle characteristic flow speeds); are necessary
for high aspect-ratio-morphology melt-lenses to be compatible with
seismic observations. Stresses exerted on variable CMB topography may
arise from lateral motion of localized outer-core rigidity-zone
structures. 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) or in/near high-seismic-speed “cold” zones. A strong link
exists between ULVZ morphology-evolution and the dynamic and
heterogeneous environment in-around the CMB.