Modeling the behavior of the continental mantle lithosphere during plate convergence

Research Article| July 01, 2000 Modeling the behavior of the continental mantle lithosphere during plate convergence Russell N. Pysklywec; Russell N. Pysklywec 1Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christopher Beaumont; Christopher Beaumont 1Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Philippe Fullsack Philippe Fullsack 1Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2000) 28 (7): 655–658. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<655:MTBOTC>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 13 Dec 1999 rev-recd: 13 Apr 2000 accepted: 24 Apr 2000 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 Russell N. Pysklywec, Christopher Beaumont, Philippe Fullsack; Modeling the behavior of the continental mantle lithosphere during plate convergence. Geology 2000;; 28 (7): 655–658. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2000)28<655:MTBOTC>2.0.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 In studying orogenic processes, the mechanism of viscous Rayleigh-Taylor–type removal of gravitationally unstable lithosphere is often invoked to explain the behavior of the mantle lithosphere. Using numerical models, we consider this mechanism and explore alternate styles of deep lithospheric deformation during tectonic convergence. The numerical experiments incorporate a mix of viscous and plastic rheologies to model the mechanical evolution of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. Our results suggest that there are a number of deformational modes of the model mantle lithosphere: (1) a dripping or Rayleigh-Taylor–type instability; (2) an asymmetric underthrusting or subduction; (3) symmetric, ablative plate consumption; (4) slab breakoff, the failure and detachment of the strong lithosphere; and (5) mixed modes with combinations of these processes. The development of the modes is controlled by the rate of convergence associated with the background tectonic regime, the density field, and the rheology of the mantle lithosphere. It is important to determine whether these modes occur in the Earth beneath collisional orogens. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.