Properties of the Earth's mantle

How do you model the Earth's mantle? How do you explain that it is solid; S-waves (transverse waves) will go through it, and yet subduction can take place into it?
The answer is to try this ELI - 'Bouncing, bending, breaking; modelling the properties of the Earth's mantle with Potty Putty (TM) from a toy shop'.

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