A new class of stratified viscoelastic models by analytical techniques

Multilayer, spherically stratified, self-gravitating relaxation models with a large number of layers (more than 100) can be dealt with analytically. Relaxation processes are studied for both Heaviside surface loads and tidal forcings. Simulations of the relaxation process of a realistic earth model with an incompressible Maxwell rheology show that models containing about 30 to 40 layers have reached continuum limits on all timescales and for all harmonic degrees up to at least 150 whenever an elastic lithosphere is present, irrespective of the viscosity profile in the mantle. In particular, fine-graded stratification of the shallow layers proves to be important for high harmonic degrees in these models. The models produce correct long-time (fluid) limits. It is shown that differences in the transient behaviour of the various models are due to the applied volume-averaging procedure of the rheological parameters. Our earlier proposed hypothesis that purported shortcomings in the fundamental physics of(discrete) normal-mode theory are artificial consequences of numerical inaccuracies, theoretical misinterpretations and the use of incomplete sets of normal modes is reinforced by the results presented. We show explicitly that the models produce both continuous behaviour resulting from continuous rheological stratifications and discrete behaviour resulting from sharp density contrasts, as at the outer surface and the core-mantle boundary. The differences between volume-averaged models and fixed-boundary contrast models are outlined. Reducing many-layer models with a volume-averaging procedure before employing a normal mode analysis is both economical and highly accurate on all timescales and for all spherical harmonic degrees. The procedure minimizes the chances of missing contributing modes, while using models with more layers will not result in any substantial increase of accuracy.