The Living Mantle: Are Earth's Deepest Structures (LLSVP) Self-Maintaining Systems?

This preprint presents the first application of autopoietic systems theory to Earth's Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs). The paper proposes that LLSVPs function as a convective lens at the core-mantle boundary, suppressing heat flux beneath their footprint to sub-adiabatic levels (39.4 mW/m2) while concentrating super-adiabatic flux (77.0 mW/m2) in the remaining 70% of the CMB area. A sensitivity analysis using a reduced-order model calibrated to present-day Earth suggests that thermochemical focusing strength extends geodynamo convective lifetime by 1-2 Gyr across a spectrum of heterogeneity contrasts. The framework identifies thermochemical focusing as a previously unrecognized factor in planetary habitability duration, implying a minimum planetary size for long-term magnetic shielding and atmospheric retention. Five testable predictions are proposed, including validation via 3D mantle convection codes and future exoplanet magnetic field observations.