The tectonic plates form the upper thermal boundary layer of Earth’s mantle convection system. In the oldest continental regions (the cratons), the lithospheric plate thickness can exceed 200 km. The thickness and stability of the craton lithosphere is controlled by its thermal structure, which in turn depends on the vigour of the underlying mantle convection and the thermal properties of the...
The Earth’s mantle is bracketed by continental lithosphere above and Large Low Velocity Provinces (LLVPs) below, both of which can affect the efficiency of convective heat transfer within the mantle. Previous studies argue that continents act like insulators for the mantle, reducing surface heat flow and causing mantle temperatures to rise over time. In contrast, other studies show that LLVPs...
