Abstract
AbstractEarth's mantle transition zone (MTZ) is a possible global water reservoir and may be responsible for long‐term (∼100 Ma) ocean‐mass regulation. Estimates of water capacities in MTZ minerals are ∼1 wt%, far greater than that of rocks of the surrounding mantle. When water‐rich material is displaced from the MTZ, partial melting occurs, generating a sharp reduction in seismic velocities detectable with seismic receiver functions (RFs). We estimated RFs for the MTZ beneath the Yellowstone region using earthquakes recorded by ∼200 stations of the Earthscope Transportable Array. We found many LVZs both above and below the MTZ, consistent with water release upon phase transformation of hydrated MTZ rock into upper‐ and lower‐mantle mineral assemblages with low water capacities. The locations of LVZs are consistent with mid‐mantle flow induced by descent of a Farallon‐slab fragment and ascent of the deeply rooted Yellowstone plume as imaged by seismic tomography.
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