Understanding Olivine’s Importance
The mineral olivine plays a crucial role in the process of heat transport within the Earth’s mantle. Recent studies reveal that due to its radiative thermal conductivity, olivine significantly affects the temperature of oceanic plates. Only those plates aged over 60 million years and subducting at rates exceeding 10 centimeters per year maintain the necessary coldness to facilitate effective heat transfer.
This discovery sheds light on the complex dynamics of plate tectonics and underscores the importance of olivine in geological processes. As scientists delve deeper into the Earth’s inner workings, understanding how minerals like olivine influence thermal properties becomes essential for predicting geological activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
