Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces
Abstract The two “large low velocity provinces” (LLVPs) are broad, low seismic wave speed anomalies in Earth’s lower mantle beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean. Recent research suggests they contain relatively dense subducted oceanic crust (SOC), but the relative concentration of this recycled mate...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88931-3 |
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| author | James Panton J. Huw Davies Paula Koelemeijer Robert Myhill Jeroen Ritsema |
| author_facet | James Panton J. Huw Davies Paula Koelemeijer Robert Myhill Jeroen Ritsema |
| author_sort | James Panton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The two “large low velocity provinces” (LLVPs) are broad, low seismic wave speed anomalies in Earth’s lower mantle beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean. Recent research suggests they contain relatively dense subducted oceanic crust (SOC), but the relative concentration of this recycled material within them is an open question. Using simulations of 3-D global mantle circulation over the past 1 Gyr, we find that two antipodal LLVPs develop naturally as a consequence of Earth’s recent subduction history and the gravitational settling and stirring of SOC. Shear-wave velocity reductions in the two LLVPs are similar due to the dominating influence of temperature over composition. However, the formation histories are distinct. Circum-Pacific subduction of oceanic lithosphere has continuously replenished the Pacific LLVP with relatively young SOC since 300 Ma, while the African LLVP comprises older, well-mixed material. Our models suggest the Pacific LLVP stores up to 53% more SOC produced in the last 1.2 Gyr than the African LLVP, potentially making the Pacific domain denser and less buoyant. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-76611991aef54d4d9ca5610e224cdc5c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-76611991aef54d4d9ca5610e224cdc5c2025-02-09T12:32:45ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-88931-3Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provincesJames Panton0J. Huw Davies1Paula Koelemeijer2Robert Myhill3Jeroen Ritsema4School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff UniversitySchool of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of OxfordSchool of Earth Sciences, University of BristolDepartment of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of MichiganAbstract The two “large low velocity provinces” (LLVPs) are broad, low seismic wave speed anomalies in Earth’s lower mantle beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean. Recent research suggests they contain relatively dense subducted oceanic crust (SOC), but the relative concentration of this recycled material within them is an open question. Using simulations of 3-D global mantle circulation over the past 1 Gyr, we find that two antipodal LLVPs develop naturally as a consequence of Earth’s recent subduction history and the gravitational settling and stirring of SOC. Shear-wave velocity reductions in the two LLVPs are similar due to the dominating influence of temperature over composition. However, the formation histories are distinct. Circum-Pacific subduction of oceanic lithosphere has continuously replenished the Pacific LLVP with relatively young SOC since 300 Ma, while the African LLVP comprises older, well-mixed material. Our models suggest the Pacific LLVP stores up to 53% more SOC produced in the last 1.2 Gyr than the African LLVP, potentially making the Pacific domain denser and less buoyant.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88931-3 |
| spellingShingle | James Panton J. Huw Davies Paula Koelemeijer Robert Myhill Jeroen Ritsema Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces Scientific Reports |
| title | Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| title_full | Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| title_fullStr | Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| title_short | Unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| title_sort | unique composition and evolutionary histories of large low velocity provinces |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88931-3 |
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