Inferences of mantle viscosity from tectonic plate velocities

The present-day velocities of the Earth's tectonic plates provide direct constraints on the absolute value of the mantle viscosity. We present the results of a formal inversion of plate motion data and demonstrate its utility in constraining the depth variation of absolute viscosity.

[1]  R. Peltier,et al.  Viscous flow models of global geophysical observables: 1. Forward problems , 1991 .

[2]  Carl W. Gable,et al.  Convection in three dimensions with surface plates: Generation of toroidal flow , 1991 .

[3]  W. Peltier,et al.  Gross Earth Data and Mantle Convection: New Inferences of Mantle Viscosity , 1991 .

[4]  C. Vigny,et al.  Mantle dynamics with induced plate tectonics , 1989 .

[5]  C. Vigny,et al.  Mantle heterogeneities, geoid, and plate motion: A Monte Carlo inversion , 1989 .

[6]  A. Dziewoński,et al.  Seismic modelling of the Earth’s large-scale three-dimensional structure , 1989, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[7]  B. Hager,et al.  Long-wavelength variations in Earth’s geoid: physical models and dynamical implications , 1989, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

[8]  George E. Backus,et al.  Bayesian inference in geomagnetism , 1988 .

[9]  W. Peltier,et al.  Plate tectonics and aspherical earth structure: The Importance of poloidal‐toroidal coupling , 1987 .

[10]  W. Peltier,et al.  Post-glacial rebound and transient lower mantle rheology , 1986 .

[11]  Adam M. Dziewonski,et al.  Mapping the lower mantle: Determination of lateral heterogeneity in P velocity up to degree and order 6 , 1984 .

[12]  B. Hager,et al.  Geoid Anomalies in a Dynamic Earth , 1984 .

[13]  A. Tarantola,et al.  Inverse problems = Quest for information , 1982 .

[14]  Bradford H. Hager,et al.  A simple global model of plate dynamics and mantle convection , 1981 .