Deep Mantle Structures Under Pacific and Africa Found to Differ in Composition

New research reveals that two massive mantle regions, previously thought to be similar, have distinct histories and compositions, potentially influencing Earth's magnetic field stability.

• The Earth's mantle contains two continent-sized structures, known as Large Low-Velocity Provinces (LLVPs), located beneath the Pacific Ocean and Africa.
• A new study shows that these LLVPs differ in composition, with the Pacific structure containing 50% more recently subducted oceanic crust compared to the African structure.
• The differences in composition arise from varying tectonic activity, with the Pacific Ring of Fire replenishing the Pacific LLVP with fresh crust, while the African LLVP contains older, more thoroughly mixed material.
• These compositional differences affect heat flow from Earth's core, which may contribute to asymmetry in the planet's magnetic field and its stability.
• Further research is needed to understand the implications of these findings, including their impact on Earth's geomagnetic field and mantle convection processes.

3 Articles

ScienceAlert ScienceDaily IFLScience