Rupture, creep, lamellae and crocodiles: happenings in the continental crust

From the observation of certain seismic reflectivity patterns in Phanerozoic continental crusts a relationship is suggested between: (1) rupture and seismicity, generally restricted to the upper crust; (2) crocodile tectonics, a kind of vertical indentation, observed by diverging plane reflectors, preferably in the middle crust; (3) creep and the formation of reflecting lamellae in the lower crust. Based on these observations and on viscosity depth estimates a conceptual model for the above‐mentioned structures is presented, which is also compatible with observations in older crusts. Boundary conditions are given for rupture as well as for lamellae‐forming creep.