Mantlerelated

Mantlerelated is a term used in geology and planetary science to refer to topics associated with the Earth's mantle and, by extension, the mantles of other rocky bodies. It encompasses the study of composition, structure, dynamics, and evolution of the mantle, as distinct from the crust above and the core below.

The Earth's mantle extends from the crust-mantle boundary, the Moho, to the outer core at about 2,900 kilometers depth. It is classically divided into the upper mantle, the transition zone (approximately 410 to 660 kilometers), and the lower mantle. The mantle's most abundant rocks are peridotites rich in olivine and pyroxenes. The upper mantle includes the asthenosphere, a zone of relatively low viscosity that facilitates plate motion.

Mantle dynamics involve convection driven by heat from the core and radiogenic sources. This convection creates mantle plumes and underpins plate tectonics, subduction, and volcanic activity. Seismic waves, xenoliths, and high-pressure experiments reveal regional heterogeneity and mineral phase changes, such as the transition zone discontinuities at 410 and 660 km and, near the base, the D'' layer.

Mantlerelated research uses seismology, geochemistry, and numerical modeling to investigate mantle reservoirs, chemical differentiation, and the recycling of surface material. Isotopic systems and trace elements suggest a complex mantle with depleted, enriched, and primitive components.

Beyond Earth, mantles on Mars, the Moon, and other planets show different thicknesses and convection regimes, informing comparative planetary geology. Ongoing work seeks to resolve the details of deep mantle structure, plume origins, and the exact behavior of materials at relevant pressures and temperatures.