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Mantle Plumes pp 323–337Cite as

Thermal and Geochemical Evolution of the Shallow Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the Eifel: Constraints from Mantle Xenoliths, a Review

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Abstract

Seismic tomography studies provide clear evidence for a small-scale, finger-like body of low-velocity material extending from about 70 to 400 km depth (Ritter et al. 2001, Keyser et al. 2002, Ritter this volume) or to 650 km (Montelli et al. 2004) beneath the Eifel. The causes of such strong “upper mantle plumes” and their significance with respect to intra-plate volcanism are still a matter of controversial debate. The instabilities might either represent active thermal uplift driven by base heating of the 670 km discontinuity or a response to external tectonic developments, i.e. lithospheric stress might induce regions of decompression melting of fertile fusible patches within a heterogeneous upper mantle (e.g. Courtillot et al. 2003, Wilson 2003, Wilson and Patterson 2001). Thus the fundamental issue is whether elevated temperatures, the occurrence of partial melts, variations in modal composition, mineral anisotropy, or distinct combinations of these effects contribute to the upper mantle seismic anomalies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie der Universität Köln, Zülpicher Str. 49B, D-50674, Köln, Germany

    Gudrun Witt-Eickschen

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  1. Gudrun Witt-Eickschen
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geophysical Institute, University of Karlsruhe, Hertzstr. 16, 76187, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Joachim R. R. Ritter

  2. Max-Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max-Planck-Str. 2, 37191, Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

    Ulrich R. Christensen

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Witt-Eickschen, G. (2007). Thermal and Geochemical Evolution of the Shallow Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the Eifel: Constraints from Mantle Xenoliths, a Review. In: Ritter, J.R.R., Christensen, U.R. (eds) Mantle Plumes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68046-8_9

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