Big Mantle Wedge hypothesis to explain intra continental volcanism

Schematics of the “Big Mantle Wedge”. Abbreviations: upper mantle (UM), mantle transition zone (MTZ), lower mantle (LM), olivine (Ol), ringwoodite (Rw), wadsleyite (Wd), bridgmanite (Bgm), ferropericlase (Fp).
Figure Caption: Schematics of the “Big Mantle Wedge”. Abbreviations: upper mantle (UM), mantle transition zone (MTZ), lower mantle (LM), olivine (Ol), ringwoodite (Rw), wadsleyite (Wd), bridgmanite (Bgm), ferropericlase (Fp). (Author: E. Marzotto)

Does the Big Mantle Wedge hypothesis explain European intra-continental volcanism?

Identifying the source of intraplate volcanism is one of the most challenging scientific problems in geoscience. In the classical view, intraplate volcanism is caused by hot and buoyant mantle plumes that rise from the core-mantle boundary. The origin of such plumes is still enigmatic and the classical view, although explaining well intra-oceanic volcanism (e.g. Hawaii), fails to explain intra-continental volcanism, such as seen in the European Cenozoic Rift System (ECRiS) and its volcanic landforms in France and Germany. Intra-continental volcanism is atypical because it features: sporadic activity, lack of age progression and heat flux anomalies, low 3He/4He ratio, and the presence of sub-lithospheric structures rising from a cold region located in the mantle transition zone (MTZ). A recent hypothesis suggests that ECRiS intra-continental volcanism might be caused by hydrous plumes originating from the flux melting of the subducted oceanic crust, now stagnating in the MTZ beneath Europe. This geological setting is called Big Mantle Wedge (BMW). In this project we will test the BMW hypothesis by modelling the thermo-mechanical evolution of subducting slabs and by investigating the effect of temperature dependent parameters on slab stagnation and his dehydration in the MTZ. This project will advance our knowledge of the deep-Earth water cycle and on the nucleation of hydrous plumes from the MTZ, beneath Europe and elsewhere. 

Time frame

  • 01.04.2025 -31.03.2027

Principal Investigator

  • Enrico Marzotto (University of Potsdam, GFZ)

Funding

  • DFG

Research Unit(s) (POF/MESI/GIPP)

Cooperation/Partner

  • Prof. Dr. Max Wilke (University of Potsdam)
  • Dr. Melanie J. Sieber (University of Potsdam)
  • Dr. Sergey Lobanov (GFZ)
  • Dr. Anne Glerum (GFZ)
  • Prof. Dr. Sascha Brune (GFZ)
  • Dr. Alexander Koptev (GFZ)
  • Assoc. Prof. Takayuki Ishii (Institute for Planetary Materials, Misasa, Japan)

  • Dr. Youyue Zhang (Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan)

  • Dr. Wen-Pin Hsieh (Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan)

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