Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Dynamics Of Plume-Triple Junction Interaction: Results From A Series Of Three-Dimensional Numerical Models And Implications For The Formation Of Oceanic Plateaus, Mladen Dordevic, Jennifer Georgen

OES Faculty Publications

Mantle plumes rising in the vicinity of mid-ocean ridges often generate anomalies in melt production and seafloor depth. This study investigates the dynamical interactions between a mantle plume and a ridge-ridge-ridge triple junction, using a parameter space approach and a suite of steady state, three-dimensional finite element numerical models. The top domain boundary is composed of three diverging plates, with each assigned half-spreading rates with respect to a fixed triple junction point. The bottom boundary is kept at a constant temperature of 1350°C except where a two-dimensional, Gaussian-shaped thermal anomaly simulating a plume is imposed. Models vary plume diameter, plume …