Constraining the relationship between mantle discontinuities and convection processes beneath the Australian Plate (Old ID 27407)

Principal Investigator

Earth’s mantle is characterised by hot upwelling plumes and cold downgoing slabs, some of which are deflected at various depths in the upper mantle. The deflection shows some relationship to seismic discontinuities. which arise from mineral and compositional changes, but this is poorly understood. Consequently, the cause of deflection remains debated. The edges of the Australian tectonic plate display a range of subduction processes, providing an ideal natural laboratory. This project will establish any link between the behaviour of slabs and properties of mantle discontinuities, determine the influence of convection on discontinuities, and investigate correlations between deep and shallow structures.

17 May 2017 - 31 Aug 2023

N/A