Mantelkomponenten

Mantelkomponenten, often translated as "mantle components" or "mantle constituents," refers to the various materials and substances that make up the Earth's mantle. The mantle is the layer of the Earth located between the crust and the outer core, extending from a depth of about 30 kilometers to 2,900 kilometers. It comprises the vast majority of the Earth's volume and mass.

The primary constituents of the Earth's mantle are silicate rocks rich in magnesium and iron. These rocks are denser than the crustal rocks but less dense than the core. The dominant minerals found in the upper mantle include olivine and pyroxene. As pressure and temperature increase with depth, these minerals transform into denser polymorphs. In the lower mantle, minerals like bridgmanite and ferropericlase are believed to be prevalent.

Beyond these major mineral components, the mantle also contains significant amounts of trace elements and volatile substances such as water and carbon dioxide. The distribution and state of these volatiles play a crucial role in various geological processes, including volcanism, plate tectonics, and the generation of seismic waves. The mantle is not a static layer; it undergoes slow but continuous convection, driven by heat from the Earth's core. This convection is the fundamental engine behind plate tectonics, influencing the movement of the Earth's crustal plates and shaping the planet's surface over geological timescales. Understanding the composition and dynamics of mantelkomponenten is essential for comprehending Earth's internal structure and its evolution.