Lower crustal flow
In geodynamics lower crustal flow is the mainly lateral movement of material within the lower part of the continental crust by a ductile flow mechanism. It is thought to be an important process during both continental collision and continental break-up.[1]
Rheology[edit]
The tendency of the lower crust to flow is controlled by its rheology. Ductile flow in the lower crust is assumed to be controlled by the deformation of quartz and/or plagioclase feldspar as its composition is thought to be granodioritic to dioritic. With normal thickness continental crust and a normal geothermal gradient, the lower crust, below the brittle–ductile transition zone, exhibits ductile flow behaviour under geological strain rates. Factors that can vary this behaviour include: water content, thickness, heat flow and strain-rate.
Collisional belts[edit]
In some areas of continental collision, the lower part of the thickened crust that results is interpreted to flow laterally, such as in the Tibetan plateau,[2] and the Altiplano in the Bolivian Andes.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Brune, S.; Heine, C.; Pérez-Gussinyé, M.; Sobolev, S.V. (2014). "Rift migration explains continental margin asymmetry and crustal hyper-extension". Nature Communications. 5: 4014. Bibcode:2014NatCo...5.4014B. doi:10.1038/ncomms5014. PMC 4059923. PMID 24905463.
- ^ Chen, L.; Capitanio, F.A.; Liu, L.; Gerya, T.V. (2017). "Crustal rheology controls on the Tibetan plateau formation during India-Asia convergence". Nature Communications. 8: 15992. Bibcode:2017NatCo...815992C. doi:10.1038/ncomms15992. PMC 5524925. PMID 28722008.
- ^ Husson, L.; Sempere, T. (2003). "Thickening the Altiplano crust by gravity-driven crustal channel flow". Geophysical Research Letters. 30 (5). doi:10.1029/2002GL016877.
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