The research, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, sheds light on the processes responsible for the formation of volcanoes and the release of greenhouse gases from the Earth's interior.
The traditional view of mantle degassing assumed that gases were primarily released through volcanic eruptions. However, the new model proposed by the ANU team suggests that a significant amount of degassing also occurs through a process called "mantle wedge flow."
Mantle wedge flow refers to the movement of hot, molten rock (magma) from the Earth's mantle to the surface. As this magma rises, it carries dissolved gases, which are then released as the magma cools and solidifies.
According to the new model, mantle wedge flow plays a more dominant role in degassing compared to volcanic eruptions, particularly in regions with relatively low volcanic activity. This finding has important implications for our understanding of the global carbon cycle and the role of the Earth's interior in regulating atmospheric composition.
By providing a more comprehensive model for mantle degassing, the ANU research contributes to our knowledge of Earth's dynamic processes and improves our ability to predict volcanic activity and its environmental impacts.
