Underworld

a long term geodynamics simulation platform

Underworld Melt Model
- More Information

Partial Melting refers to the process of pressure-related melting within the Earth's mantle. As mantle material rises through specific pressure and temperature conditions, a change of phase can occur, turning solid material into liquid melt. The melt is termed 'partial' because only certain elements of the material may melt, leaving a depleted solid residual.

The process of partial melt creates new effects on the governing momentum and energy equations of Underworld in 3 ways:

• Melted, or depleted, material is now present and is lower in density that the previous undepleted mantle due to mass loss.
• The effects of latent heat transfer into melting material changes the energy balance in the melting region.
• Depleted mantle is given a higher viscosity than undepeleted mantle. As water is more soluble in the melt process and will transport with the melt, the depleted material will be less hydrous, and thus increase in viscosity.

An important assumption made in the model is that melt is removed from the model the moment it occurs and is not transported through the mantle or added into the crustal layer

See the Documentation page for further information on how to use Underworld, including the Underworld User Manual and links to the online Component Codex.

Reference: de Smet, J. H., van den Berg, A. P. and Vlaar, N. J., 1998. Stability and growth of continental shields in mantle convection models including recurrent melt production. Tectonophysics 296, pp. 15-29.

-- Wendy Mason - 20 December 2010
-- Julian Giordani - 25 June 2010