DIAMETER AND FORMATION TIME OF PLUME HEAD AT THE BASE OF REFRACTORY LITHOSPHERIC LAYER

Abstract

Estimation of the growth time and dimension of plume head (PH) ascent from the deep mantle toward the lithosphere is an important problem of geodynamics, towards the solution of which an active search is presently being carried out. An experimental and theoretical model of the plume that spreads at the lithosphere base is presented. This model envisages the ascent of a purely chemical plume driven by a density difference between the low-viscous plume material and the high-viscous ambient massif.