Plug flow in the Earth's asthenosphere

Abstract

Recent seismic observations, focused on mantle flow below the Pacific plate, indicate the presence of two shear layers in the Earth's asthenosphere. This is difficult to explain under the classic assumption of asthenosphere flow driven by plate shear from above. We present numerical mantle convection experiments that show how a power law rheology, together with dynamic pressure gradients, can generate an asthenosphere flow profile with a near constant velocity central region bounded above and below by concentrated shear layers (a configuration referred to as plug flow). The experiments show that as the power law dependence of asthenosphere viscosity is increased from 1 to 3, maximum asthenosphere velocities can surpass lithosphere velocity. The wavelength of mantle convection increases and asthenosphere flow transitions from a linear profile (Couette flow) to a plug flow configuration. Experiments in a 3D spherical domain also show a rotation of velocity vectors from the lithosphere to the asthenosphere, consistent with seismic observations. Global mantle flow remains of whole mantle convection type with plate and asthenosphere flow away from a mid-ocean ridge balanced by broader return flow in the lower mantle. Our results are in line with theoretical scalings that mapped the conditions under which asthenosphere flow can provide an added plate driving force as opposed to the more classic assumption that asthenosphere flow is associated with a plate resisting force.