plume.avi

Viscous corn syrup (evaporated) is used to model the mantle material through which liquid Gallium (modeled as liquid iron) is sinking. This video shows a laboratory fluid model of liquid iron sinking to the base of the mantle following the giant asteroid impact in the early history of the Earth (Hadean). The upwelling plume indicates that magma ocean material (less dense) rises up quickly due to buoyant force after being dragged down to the core-mantle boundary. This even is also considered a core-formation event as liquid iron sinks to the center of the earth.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• mantle convection
• mantle plume
• giant impact
• asteroids
• corn syrup
• liquid Gallium
• liquid iron
• core formation
• magma ocean
• fluid dynamics
• laboratory fluid experiments