TITLE:
The Formation of Mantle Melt and the Causes of Its Heterogeneous Distribution
AUTHORS:
Mengke Zhang, Guowen Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Atmospheric Neutrinos, Neutrino Oscillation-Induced Radioactive Decay, Melt Formation, Arched Structure, Distribution of Mantle Melt
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
15,
2026
ABSTRACT: Geophysical observations indicate that the upper mantle contains a small amount of melt, which is distributed unevenly. Overall, the oceanic mantle contains significantly more melt than the continental mantle, and the asthenosphere contains the most melt, whether beneath oceans or continents. Current theories of melt formation cannot explain this uneven distribution of melt within the mantle. Here, based on the latest research findings regarding neutrino oscillation-induced radioactive decay and mantle melt formation, we further investigate the influence of Earth’s material density on atmospheric neutrino oscillations. We analyze the necessary conditions for atmospheric neutrinos to generate Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) resonance within the Earth’s interior, and discuss the heat generation from MSW resonance-induced radioactive decay, as well as the formation and distribution of the melt. The results indicate that the necessary conditions for atmospheric neutrinos to generate MSW resonance within the Earth are: a constant material density and a width (or thickness) exceeding a certain threshold. The composition of the crust is complex, with significant fluctuations in density; there are no material layers with a width exceeding the threshold and a constant density, making it difficult to form MSW resonance. In contrast, mantle material is relatively homogeneous and possesses a certain degree of plasticity, allowing for creep. Its density varies uniformly, and within relatively thin layers, the density remains essentially constant, satisfying the conditions required for the formation of MSW resonance. Therefore, MSW resonance can occur in the mantle, inducing radioactive decay and heat generation, and producing melt. At the same time, we demonstrate that due to tectonic stresses at the Earth’s surface, mantle melt migrating upward converges beneath low-stress arched structures (mountain ranges), thereby forming a laterally inhomogeneous distribution.