Thermal-mechanical model for crustal thickening in the central Andes driven by ablative subduction

Research Article| June 01, 1998 Thermal-mechanical model for crustal thickening in the central Andes driven by ablative subduction Daniel C. Pope; Daniel C. Pope 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sean D. Willett Sean D. Willett 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1998) 26 (6): 511–514. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0511:TMMFCT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Daniel C. Pope, Sean D. Willett; Thermal-mechanical model for crustal thickening in the central Andes driven by ablative subduction. Geology 1998;; 26 (6): 511–514. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0511:TMMFCT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The thick (up to 65 km) crust of the high-elevation regions of the Andean orogenic belt results from structural thickening of the felsic upper crust of South America. The great thickness implies shortening or loss of several hundred kilometers of lithospheric mantle and lower crust. Through numerical simulation of the thermal and mechanical processes of crustal thickening, we test a model of lithospheric-mantle removal by ablative subduction. The model combines kinematic assumptions regarding mantle motion with dynamic calculations of crustal deformation. Predictions include the formation of an outwardly growing orogenic plateau—analogous to the Altiplano—that results from high-temperature, low-viscosity flow of the lower crust due to thickening of the high-heat-production upper crust. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.