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Seismology

A partially molten mantle

Nature Geoscience volume 16, pages 110–111 (2023)Cite this article

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A global analysis of seismic waves has identified a widespread sharp velocity anomaly at the base of the low seismic velocity zone that is consistent with partial melting, closing a decades-long debate about the origin of this zone.

Despite its physical properties having such a profound effect on mantle dynamics, the nature of the low-velocity zone has been the subject of a decades-long debate with opinions divided over its origin3,4. Partial melting has been considered the most plausible explanation because the behaviour of seismic waves travelling through the layer closely resembles those obtained through laboratory experiments3. However, the absence of a sharp increase in seismic velocity at the base of the low-velocity zone has been one of the major arguments against the hypothesis that partial melting of the mantle is responsible for the reduced seismic velocity and viscosity of this layer. Alternative hypotheses based on the intrinsic mechanical properties of the mantle rocks have also been proposed, the most widely accepted of which are the effects of temperature5 and water6 on the elastic and plastic properties of mantle minerals.

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Fig. 1: Low-velocity zone facilitates plate motion.

Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock Photo

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  1. Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans CNRS, IRD, OPGC, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Geeth Manthilake

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  1. Geeth Manthilake
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Correspondence to Geeth Manthilake.

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Manthilake, G. A partially molten mantle. Nat. Geosci. 16, 110–111 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-022-01120-z

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