Iegorova T. Lithosphere of Europe according to three-dimensional gravity modelling

The dissertation is devoted to the setting up of regional (1:5000000 scale) density model for the lithosphere of European continent and adjoining part of Northern Atlantic. The methodology of 3D gravity modelling, incorporated the deriving of residual gravity anomalies, has been developed. As a result of quantitative interpretation of mantle gravity anomalies, integral values of density have been calculated for the uppermost mantle layer and there were estimated its components caused by variations of temperature and composition of the upper mantle. Revealed regularity in variation of "compositional" component of the upper mantle density beneath Europe is explained by processes of depletion of the mantle during evolution of the continental Earth's crust. Lithosphere thickness for the whole continent and adjoining part of Northern Atlantic was estimated from mantle gravity anomalies using the correlation revealed between these anomalies and thickness of the lithosphere. Thus, it was shown, that density of the upper mantle is assumed to be valuable parameter characterising its structure and composition.