Mantelgrenzen

Mantelgrenzen, also known as mantle boundaries, refer to the interfaces that separate different layers within the Earth's mantle. These boundaries are significant in the study of geology and geophysics because they mark transitions in composition, mineralogy, and physical properties of mantle material. The Earth's mantle extends from the base of the crust to the outer core, roughly between 35 and 2,900 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.

The most notable mantle boundaries are the Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho), which is often considered a boundary between the crust and the mantle, and the mantle transition zone, located approximately between 410 and 660 kilometers depth. The transition zone is characterized by phase changes in mantle minerals, such as olivine transforming into ringwoodite and wadsleyite, which alter seismic wave velocities and densities.

These boundaries are primarily identified through seismic studies, which detect variations in seismic wave speeds indicating changes in material properties. Understanding mantelgrenzen helps scientists comprehend mantle convection processes, plate tectonics, and the thermal evolution of the Earth. They provide insights into the dynamics of Earth's interior, including the movement of tectonic plates and the mechanisms driving volcanic activity.

In summary, mantelgrenzen are critical interfaces within the Earth's interior that reveal the layered structure of the mantle. Their study is essential for advancing knowledge about Earth's composition, structure, and dynamic processes.