Global electromagnetic induction constraints on transition-zone water content variations

Anna Kelbert (), Adam Schultz and Gary Egbert
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Anna Kelbert: College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5503, USA
Adam Schultz: College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5503, USA
Gary Egbert: College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5503, USA

Nature, 2009, vol. 460, issue 7258, 1003-1006

Abstract: Hydrating the mantle Water plays a fundamental role in the Earth's interior, influencing the melting temperature of mantle minerals, the tendency of plumes of mantle melt to form, and the viscosity of the convecting mantle. The electrical conductivity of mantle minerals is influenced significantly by water content. Kelbert et al. have used long-period geomagnetic response functions to derive a global-scale three-dimensional model of electrical conductivity variations in the Earth's mantle. Their study reveals variations in the mantle transition zone (at depths of 410–660 km) of approximately one order of magnitude, with high conductivities associated with cold, seismically fast areas where slabs have subducted. This supports the view that at least some of the water in the transition zone has been carried into that region by cold subducting slabs.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08257

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