Geophysical and geochemical evidence for deep temperature variations beneath mid-ocean ridges
Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Simulation of Early Earth Hydrothermal Chimneys in a Thermal Gradient Environment
Published on: February 27, 2021
Colleen A Dalton1, Charles H Langmuir, Allison Gale
1Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Abstract:
The temperature and composition of Earth's mantle control fundamental planetary properties, including the vigor of mantle convection and the depths of the ocean basins. Seismic wave velocities, ocean ridge depths, and the composition of mid-ocean ridge basalts can all be used to determine variations in mantle temperature and composition, yet are typically considered in isolation. We show that correlations among these three data sets are consistent with 250°C variation extending to depths >400 kilometers and are inconsistent with variations in mantle composition at constant temperature. Anomalously hot ridge segments are located near hot spots, confirming a deep mantle-plume origin for hot spot volcanism. Chemical heterogeneity may contribute to scatter about the global trend. The coherent temperature signal provides a thermal calibration scale for interpreting seismic velocities located distant from ridges.
More Related Videos
08:43Separation of Uranium and Thorium for 230Th-U Dating of Submarine Hydrothermal Sulfides
Published on: May 20, 2019
11:50Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions
Published on: June 13, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology
Global Climate Change
Diversity of Archaea IV
Microbial Mats
Diversity of Archaea III
Marine Microbial Ecology