The Ups and Downs of Mantle Convection

This textbook examines the concept of mantle convection from a historical perspective, with particular emphasis on the origins of the assumptions commonly embedded in mantle-convection models.The motivation is to provide answers to questions enrolled in courses to introduce mantle dynamics , such as, “How can we be sure that this is the case?” or “Where does this idea or concept come from?” This implicates the need for a more detailed explanation of the foundations underlying current mantle-convection models. The organization and scope of this textbook are shaped by the needs and profile of students, aiming to provide a coherent, accessible, and conceptually grounded introduction to mantle convection and mantle dynamics.