Mantle convection with inefficient mixing. Silica-poor rocks (green) circulate around coherent domains of ancient silica-rich rocks (grey). Mantle downwellings (subducted slabs, blue) sink, and upwellings (light red) rise, through conduits between these domains. Mantle convection is dominantly driven by heating from the hot core (dark red) below.
Source: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Center for Public Affairs and Communications
For immediate release: 28 February 2017
Tokyo Institute of Technology research: New model for deep mantle conveyor belt system at the core of the Earth