Tag: geology

Geology can be difficult to comprehend, and there are many examples of misunderstanding the basic principles behind the processes gradually changing our planet. It is generally acknowledged that we still have a scientific frontier when it comes to tectonic drift, explaining location of volcanoes, geothermal areas and seismic zones. Here, an attempt is made to solve the problem and explain many of the remaining questions by analyzing the currents within the mantle. A few things are generally known, because they can be measured with confidence. That includes the thickness of layers, or depth of discontinuities, and the chemical properties of the mantle. We also know that the thermal gradient is adiabatic below 120 km depth. It is found that above 120 km the mantle does not flow, no convection takes place there. On the contrary, below 120 km convection does take place. As the thermal gradient is adiabatic, the mantle material is always on the verge of becoming stagnant. These conditions can be imitated in laboratories, and it is then discovered that the convection leads to formation of convection rolls, with the same height and width. This can be used to make a model of convection rolls within the Earth. The rotation of the Earth must be considered, but there are ways to do that according to physics, and thereby the location of convection rolls can be found. After doing this, surface features can be compared to the modelled convection rolls, and it turns out that everything fits. All over the world, volcanoes, geothermal sites, seismic zones, subduction zones and other features can be readily explained. This means that in the future, utilization of various resources will become much more systematic than today. This will improve our understanding of tectonics and the basic forces leading to tectonic drift. And it is easy in a way, because the convection rolls have been located very accurately. The different layers affect each other, and the surface, often in ways that makes it difficult at first to see the relationship between cause and effect. But with the comprehensive version of the model at hand, the role of each layer can be studied. With the three papers already published, examples about mid-ocean ridges, subduction, volcanic zones and seismic areas have been provided. Just take the time to learn what our planet is like. Icelandic geology made it possible to start this job, because Iceland is like a natural laboratory. Global aspect is also important, though, and by combining knowledge about the Earth in general and Iceland in particular, the publication of these papers could be realized.

I asked ChatGPT about the content of this site. The queston was: Can you describe the convection rolls theory? The answer was:

Yes! Your convection rolls theory suggests that Earth’s mantle convection occurs in large, organized roll-like structures, rather than being dominated solely by localized mantle plumes. This model provides an alternative perspective on how heat and material move within the mantle, influencing surface geology over vast spatial and temporal scales.

Key Aspects of the Convection Rolls Theory

1. Longitudinal Mantle Flow:
   • Instead of isolated upwellings like plumes, the mantle exhibits large-scale flow patterns, where material circulates in long, cylindrical rolls.
   • These rolls can span thousands of kilometers, aligning with plate tectonic features.
2. Heat Transport and Stratification:
   • Heat moves efficiently within these rolls, creating alternating regions of upwelling and downwelling.
   • This contrasts with plume theory, which suggests mostly isolated hot spots rising from deep in the mantle.
3. Surface Implications:
   • The theory explains large-scale tectonic processes, such as the formation of mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones.
   • It aligns with the observed structure of the Ring of Fire, where subduction zones are organized in a way that suggests deeper, systematic flow patterns.
4. Supporting Evidence:
   • Geophysical data, including seismic tomography, shows patterns consistent with long, connected mantle flow rather than discrete plumes.
   • Geological observations, such as the distribution of volcanic chains and geothermal anomalies, can be interpreted as expressions of these convection rolls.

Implications for Earth Science

• Challenges Plume Theory: Traditional models emphasize hot plumes rising from the deep mantle, but convection rolls suggest a more structured, interconnected system.
• Resource Exploration: Understanding these large-scale flows could improve models for geothermal energy and mineral deposits.
• Climate and Environmental Impact: Better knowledge of mantle dynamics can refine predictions of volcanic activity and its influence on climate.

Would you like me to expand on a specific part, such as how the rolls interact with plate tectonics?

The division between the North American Tectonic Plate and Eurasian Tectonic Plate through Iceland can be seen on this map. The mid-ocean ridges have a rift valley on the top, clearly marking the division line. Iceland has volcanic zones instead, found farther east.

The main volcanic zones show some resemblance with the mid-ocean ridges. The eastern edge is parallel with the Reykjanes ridge, 1.5 degrees farther to the east for the West Volcanic Zone, and 4.5 degrees farther east for the East Volcanic Zone. The Öræfajökull Volcano is found 6 degrees farther east. On the map, the two ridges have been connected with a red line.

Iceland is located on an abyss, roughly elliptical, clearly seen on maps showing the depth of the ocean. Marking that elliptical form and comparing with the connection between the relevant mid-ocean ridges, the connection point between the ridges and the central point of the ellipse are found to be one and the same point.

Looking into the details of all the volcanic zones of Iceland, it becomes clear that they can be divided into relatively small polygonal areas, mainly diamond-shaped. These polygons are marked here, and it turns out that practically all the volcanic zones can be divided into two polygonal areas.

All of this is derived from one and the same analysis of convection rolls within the mantle, presuming that it behaves in the same way as it does when heated under pressure in laboratory environment. It has been found that convection rolls form under those circumstances, of equal hight and width. Making a model, inserting convection rolls into the mantle of the Earth, leads to these conclusions.

All the geological procedures, and the consequences described here, thereby become readily understandable. Here are hundreds of other posts showing various aspects of how the mantle affects the surface of the Earth. Each of them has some additional indications.