Research School of Earth Sciences
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Mantle DynamicsMoving plates and rising plumes . . .The earths mantle is in slow motion, and the best-known manifestation of this is plate tectonics, which is the main internal process driving geological change in the earths crust. Mantle plumes also affect the earths surface: we think they are responsible for volcanic hotspots like Hawaii and Iceland. . . . are kinds of convectionThe motions of the plates and plumes are forms of convection in the mantle. Convection is driven by thermal boundary layers. In the earths mantle, the tectonic plates comprise the upper thermal boundary layer that sinks (subducts) because it is cooler and denser than the mantle interior. We think plumes are rising from a deep thermal boundary layer, possibly at the bottom of the mantle, that is hot and therefore buoyant. This subject is covered in my book Dynamic Earth: Plates, Plumes and Mantle Convection.
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