Abstract
In a series of two-dimensional Cartesian simulations with high resolution, on the order of 2 km, we have compared for the same effective Rayleigh number, around 106, the dynamics between Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheologies. A viscosity contrast due to temperature of 1200 has been employed throughout with surface dissipation numbers varying between 0.05 and 0.2. Peak velocities for non-Newtonian plumes are at least 50 times faster than the peak Newtonian velocities and reach magnitudes in excess of m/yr. Upon impinging the surface, plume head structures of the non-Newtonian rheology contain much greater complexity in the thermal-mechanical structure than for Newtonian plumes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 97GL01886 |
Pages (from-to) | 1995-1998 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |