What causes elevation changes in the Earth's mantle?

Geodynamics examines the forces and processes driving geological phenomena within the Earth. Dynamic topography specifically refers to surface elevation differences generated by flow patterns occurring deep within the planet's mantle.

What we know

• Dynamic topography describes elevation differences caused by the flow within Earth's mantle. [1, 2]
• Geodynamic phenomena include crustal motion, tides, and polar motion. [4]
• Geodesy utilizes control networks, space geodesy, and terrestrial techniques to study geodynamic processes. [4]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureHow do supercontinents assemble and disperse?
• compared withWhat is geodesy?
• how it workedWhat are Love numbers?
• whenWhen did Pangaea break up?
• whoWho introduced the Love numbers?
• an unexpected connectionHow do tidal forces relate to planetary rigidity?Dimensionless parameters called Love numbers measure planetary rigidity and shape susceptibility to tidal potentials, tying surface responses directly to deep interior physics.

Sources

• [1]Dynamic topography (Wikidata Q5319032) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Dynamic topography · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Supercontinent · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Geodesy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Love number · CC BY-SA 4.0