Accumulation of elastic strains in the upper crust on the locked transform faults and the tectonomagnetic effect

Plate tectonics only allows small deformations in the lithospheric plates. The laboratory experiments with the rock specimens show that the creep is transient when the creep strain is at most 1%. Hence, if we assume that the creep strain in the lithospheric plates is below this threshold, the creep is transient. The present paper addresses the role of the elastic, brittle (pseudo-plastic), and creep rheology of the lithosphere during the accumulation of elastic shear strains on the locked faults in the Earth’s crust, i.e., during the process of preparation of the earthquakes. The effective viscosity characterizing the transient creep is lower than that under the steady-state creep and it depends on the characteristic time of a given process. The characteristic duration of the stress and strain accumulation process in the vicinity of the locked faults is a few dozen years. On these time intervals, the thin upper crustal layer behaves as brittle; the underlying layer behaves as elastic (it is just this layer which accommodates stress accumulation leading to the earthquake), whereas the transient creep is predominant in the lower crust and mantle lithosphere. Transient creep entails nonlinear time dependence of the strains arising in the vicinity of the locked fault in the elastic crust. The perturbations in the magnetic field induced by these strains can be treated as the magnetic precursor of the earthquake.     

Evidence for low viscosity garnet-rich layers in the upper mantle

The rheological properties of upper mantle rocks play an important role in controlling the dynamics of the lithosphere and mantle convection. Experimental studies and microstructures in naturally deformed mantle rocks usually imply that olivine controls the upper mantle rheology. Here we show for the first time evidence from the geometry of folded compositional layers in mantle rocks from Western Norway that garnet-rich rocks can have lower solid-state viscosities than olivine-rich rocks. Modeling of melt-free and dry rheology of garnet and olivine confirms that the reversed viscosity contrast between garnet-rich and olivine-rich layers for this folding event can be achieved over a relatively wide range of temperatures at low stress conditions when the fine-grained garnet deforms by diffusion creep while the coarse-grained olivine deforms by dislocation creep and/or diffusion creep.In general, modeling of the fold viscosity contrast shows that in the stable subcontinental lithospheric mantle or convecting mantle such a reversed viscosity contrast can be formed due to diffusion creep processes in fine-grained garnets in a dry mantle environment or at conditions where the garnet-pyroxene layer is partially molten, i.e. close to solidus–liquidus conditions in the upper mantle. Alternatively in cold plate tectonic settings, e.g. in subduction zones, some water-weakening is a feasible mechanism to create the reversed viscosity contrast between garnet and olivine.     

Andrade Creep at the Isostasy Recovering Flows in the Mantle

The laboratory experiments with rock samples show that creep under small strains is transient and can be described by the linear hereditary rheological Andrade model. The flows that recover isostasy (including the postglacial rebound flows) cause the strains in the crust and mantle, which are as low as at most 10^–3 and, hence, demonstrate transient creep. The effective viscosity characterizing the transient creep is lower than that at the steady creep and depends on the characteristic time of the considered process. The characteristic time of restoration of isostatic equilibrium (isostatic rebound) after the initial perturbation of the Earth’s surface topography is at most 10 kyr and, therefore, the distribution of the rheological properties along the depth of the mantle and the crust differs from the distribution that corresponds to the slow geological processes. When considering the process of isostatic rebound, the upper crust can be modeled by a thin elastic plate, whereas the underlying crust and the mantle can be modeled by the halfspace with transient creep in which the rheological parameter is inhomogeneous with depth. For this system, the continuum mechanics equations are solved by means of the Fourier and Laplace transforms. The vertical displacements that violate the isostasy propagate from the area of the initial perturbation along the Earth’s surface and can be considered as the mechanism of the present-day vertical movements of the crust. Comparing the obtained results with the observation data allows estimating the Andrade parameter. The use of the Andrade rheological model makes it possible to quantify the relationship between the effective viscosity of the asthenosphere corresponding to the postglacial flows and the seismic Q-factor of this layer.     

造山带下岩石圈地幔小尺度减薄的动力学成因

地质与地球物理观测数据表明青藏高原、安第斯山、以及帕米尔等典型造山高原之下均有明显的岩石圈地幔小尺度/分段式减薄现象.这些小尺度岩石圈减薄难以用经典的拆沉或对流减薄理论来解释,一方面,拆沉预示大尺度岩石圈地幔的剥离过程,而对流减薄则在黏度相对低的地幔岩石圈中发生,其主要以小尺度的局部增厚触发并仅减薄地幔岩石圈的底部区域.另一方面,拆沉或对流减薄模型都预测造山带尺度的地幔岩石圈拆离,都假设造山带岩石圈横向均一,然而实际的造山带岩石圈往往由多个不同的地块构成,块体之间岩性、物性、流变结构可能大有差别,即横向不均一性.这些造山带岩石圈地幔的横向不均一性,能否有效解释观测到的局部小尺度减薄现象？为此,我们构建了一系列高精度动力学数值模型,系统模拟了碰撞造山过程中岩石圈地幔的形变和不稳定性.结果表明,在塑性屈服强度很低的情况下,横向不均一的造山带岩石圈有发生分段式/小尺度减薄的可能性;其主要机理是由位错蠕变与强塑性作用所导致的应变集中使得地块间及壳幔间耦合弱化,从而使得较弱地块的岩石圈地幔在增厚时由于重力不稳定性而产生局部剥离,进而诱发小尺度软流圈上涌.模拟结果可以良好地解释发生在青藏高原东北缘、安第斯中部高原、以及帕米尔高原之下岩石圈的局部小尺度/分段式减薄现象.     

南海深部地球动力学特征及其演化机制

利用地热学、流变学和重力学方法，计算了南海岩石层温度结构、流变特征及地幔对流格局.南海莫霍面温度在600-1000℃之间.岩石层底界面温度在1150-1300℃之间，有效粘滞系数为1020-1021Pa·s，与冰期回弹资料确定的地幔粘度吻合，表明南海深部具备产生地幔热对流的物理条件.研究认为地幔物质由北西向南东方向的运移以及印澳-欧亚板块的碰撞，导致南海北部大陆边缘向洋扩张、离散和断裂解体.在向洋离散过程中，陆-洋岩石层底部地幔局部对流使中央海盆扩张和北部陆缘发生差异性块断运动.     

Two-dimensional mantle flow beneath a rigid accreting lithosphere

This study considers two-dimensional mantle flow beneath a rigid lithosphere. The lithosphere which forms the upper boundary of a convecting region moves with a prescribed uniform horizontal velocity, and thickens with distance from the accreting plate boundary as it cools. Beneath the lithosphere, the mantle deforms viscously by diffusion creep and is heated radiogenically from within. Solutions for thermal convection beneath the lithosphere are obtained by finite-difference methods. Two important conclusions have resulted from this study: (1) convective patterns of large aspect ratio are stable beneath a rigid moving lithosphere; (2) even for a lithosphere velocity as small as 3 cm/yr. and a Rayleigh number as large as 10⁶, mantle circulation with large aspect ratio is driven dominantly by the motion of the lithosphere rather than by temperature gradients within the flow. Gravity, topography and heat flow are determined and implications for convection in the upper mantle are discussed.     

论青藏高原及邻区板片构造的一个新模式

本文首先论述了板块学说提出的过程和存在的一些不足与疑问,特别是该学说将Holmes（1948）的地幔热对流说作为驱使岩石圈板块运动的动力机制.而后又以青藏高原及邻区为例,根据区域地质、蛇绿岩和地质构造研究的成果,特别是地震测深研究的成果,详细地论证了本区不存在有大洋中脊扩张成为大洋盆地的新大洋和大洋板块简单的B型俯冲模式,但存在有海底扩张的陆间海和海洋地壳板片（蛇绿岩构造岩片）的仰冲以及大陆岩石圈板片复杂的A型俯冲新模式.新模式不是以地幔对流运动,而是以扩张分离A型俯冲的大陆岩石圈板片与软流圈之间的水平剪切相对运动机制作为它的躯动力.     

Attenuation of seismic waves and the universal rheological model of the Earth’s mantle

Analysis of results of laboratory studies on creep of mantle rocks, data on seismic wave attenuation in the mantle, and rheological micromechanisms shows that the universal, i.e., relevant to all time scales, rheological model of the mantle can be represented as four rheological elements connected in series. These elements account for elasticity, diffusion rheology, high temperature dislocation rheology, and low temperature dislocation rheology. The diffusion rheology element is described in terms of a Newtonian viscous fluid. The high temperature dislocation rheology element is described by the rheological model previously proposed by the author. This model is a combination of a power-law non-Newtonian fluid model for stationary flows and the linear hereditary Andrade model for flows associated with small strains. The low temperature dislocation rheology element is described by the linear hereditary Lomnitz model.     

地幔对流拖曳力对中国大陆岩石层变形的影响

采用较为符合实际岩石层变形的非线性幂指数本构关系,基于ANSYS有限元平台, 模拟了近20万年来中国大陆地区地表运动及演化过程,探讨了印度板块挤压作用和地幔对流拖曳力各自对于中国大陆地区地表形变运动格局的影响.模拟结果与观测数据的比较表明：在印度板块的挤压和地幔拖曳力联合作用下,中国及东亚大陆岩石层运动形变模式能够和现代GPS观测有较好的吻合; 印度大陆和欧亚大陆的碰撞以及印度大陆的持续向北推进、挤压所产生的应力环境,一直主导了以青藏高原为核心的我国西部地域岩石圈构造、运动和演化,但其影响随着远离青藏高原地区而逐渐变小;地幔对流产生的作用于岩石层底部的拖曳力是中国大陆（特别是远离碰撞带）岩石层运动构造变形的重要驱动力.然而在构造复杂和东部靠近太平洋板块的区域,模型预测结果和GPS观测还存在一定的差距,这说明在未来的中国大陆岩石层变形运动的数值模拟中,应当采用更为复杂的构造模型和驱动力因素.     

火星和月球热历史的参量化模型研究

通过类地行星热历史的比较研究,可以更全面地了解它们的热演化过程．火星和月球不具有板块构造,研究它们的热演化过程时,考虑了岩石层逐渐加厚对行星内部对流的影响,同时也考虑了由对流传热转变为传导传热对它们热历史的影响．参量化模型计算结果表明：火星和月球岩石层随温度的逐渐降低目前大约分别增厚到320km和250km左右;并且,火星幔和月幔分别于1．6Ga前和3Ga前停止热对流,这与天文和空间探测资料一致．     

Influence of mantle convection to the crustal movement pattern in the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau based on numerical simulation

Based on the recent observations about the movement and rheological structure of the lithosphere and deformation pattern of the crust, we developed a three-dimensional finite element model for the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The model considered the impacts of both external and internal conditions, including mantle convection, gravitational potential energy and block interactions. We compared the simulated surface movement rates to the observed GPS velocities, and the results revealed that crustal movement gradually decreased toward the edge of the plateau. The factors controlling this pattern are the interactions of adjacent blocks, gravitational potential energy of the plateau, and also mantle convection as well. Additionally, according to the observation that there was an apparent difference between the horizontal movement rate of the lithosphere and convective velocity of the underlying mantle, and also based on the results of seismic anisotropy studies that suggest different strengths and deformation regimes of the lithosphere in different tectonic blocks, we proposed that the impact of mantle convection on the lithosphere may have varied in space, and introduced a parameter named mantle convection intensity factor in numerical simulations. Our simulation results show consistent surface movement rates with GPS observations, which further supports the viewpoint of seismic anisotropy studies, i.e., the degree of coupling between the crust and mantle varies significantly among different blocks.     

The Role of History-Dependent Rheology in Plate Boundary Lubrication for Generating One-Sided Subduction

We have developed a two-dimensional dynamical model of asymmetric subduction integrated into the mantle convection without imposed plate velocities. In this model we consider that weak oceanic crust behaves as a lubricator on the thrust fault at the plate boundary. We introduce a rheological layer that depends on the history of the past fracture to simulate the effect of the oceanic crust. The thickness of this layer is set to be as thin as the Earth's oceanic crust. To treat 1-kilometer scale structure at the plate boundary in the 1000-kilometer scale mantle convection calculation, we introduce a new numerical method to solve the hydrodynamic equations using a couple of uniform and nonuniform grids of control volumes. Using our developed models, we have systematically investigated effects of basic rheological parameters that determine the deformation strength of the lithosphere and the oceanic crust on the development of the subducted slab, with a focus on the plate motion controlling mechanism. In our model the plate subduction is produced when the friction coefficient (0.004–0.008) of the modeled oceanic crust and the maximum strength (400 MPa) of the lithosphere are in plausible range inferred from the observations on the plate driving forces and the plate deformation, and the rheology experiments. In this range of the plate strength, yielding induces the plate bending. In this case the speed of plate motion is controlled more by viscosity layering of the underlying mantle than by the plate strength. To examine the setting of the overriding plate, we also consider the two end-member cases in which the overriding plate is fixed or freely-movable. In the case of the freely-movable overriding plate, the trench motion considerably changes the dip angle of the deep slab. Especially in the case with a shallow-angle plate boundary, retrograde slab motion occurs to generate a shallow-angle deep slab.     

中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维流变结构

依据地震波速得到的上地幔温度和气象台站记录的地表温度为约束,结合地表热流和热导率观测数据,利用有限元方法计算了中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维热结构.基于此温度结果和GPS观测得到的应变率数据,以滑动摩擦、脆性破裂和蠕变三种强度机制为约束,计算得到了中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维流变结构.结果显示:弱强度和低等效黏滞性系数的下地壳在中国大陆及邻区普遍存在,并且下地壳的流变强度和等效黏滞性系数比上地壳和岩石圈地幔一般要低1~2个数量级;中国大陆范围内青藏高原存在着厚度最大、强度最低的下地壳;青藏高原的岩石圈强度和等效黏滞性系数比华北、华南和印度板块的都要低;岩石圈流变结构的横向分布特征与重力梯度带和地形过渡带比较一致.     

Coupling between different layers of the lithosphere under horizontal drag underneath

Based on a layered rheological model of the lithosphere, the velocity and stress distributions in the lithosphere under horizontal drag underneath were calculated using viscoelastic finite element method of plain strain with finite deformation. In the simulation, different conditions of drag and blocking were assumed to study their influences on the stress distribution and the coupling between different layers. Blocking depth has little influence on the stress level in the whole area and the coupling between different layers, but influences the stress state in the area around the blocking. The area covered by the high stress anomaly becomes larger when the blocking depth becomes deeper, but the magnitude of the value of the maximum shear stress decreases. The greater the viscosity differences between different layers of the lithosphere, the greater the possibility of decoupling between them. Under the drag of normal mantle convection (the convection velocity is about 20 cm·a?1), a lithosphere with a rheological structure similar to that of North China could not have decoupling between different layers, while could have stress distribution with magnitude of several MPa to tens of MPa and could have anomalous areas with stress accumulation if the geological structure is complicated.     

Thermal convection in a cylindrical annulus with a non-Newtonian outer surface

This study presents the results of numerical simulations of a model for lithospheremantle coupling in a terrestrial type planet. To first order, a geologically active terrestrial type planet may consist of a metallic core, silicate mantle and lithosphere, with the lithosphere being rheologically different from the mantle. Therefore we have developed a numerical model consisting of a thin non-Newtonian fluid hoop that is dynamically coupled to a thick Newtonian fluid cylindrical annulus. Thus the rheological dichotomy between mantle and lithosphere is built into the model. Time-dependent calculations show the existence of at least two regimes of behaviors. In one regime, the behavior of the hoop switches between periods characterized by low or high speeds, in response to changes in convective vigor and planform. This regime may apply to the planet Venus where the available evidence indicates that prior to 500 myr ago, the planet was resurfaced on a time scale of <100 myr. Since that time, large-scale tectonic activity on Venus has been sharply curtailed. In the other regime, which is more like plate tectonics on Earth, the hoop speeds rise and fall on short time scales.     

Rheology of the mantle and tectonics of the oceanic lithospheric plates

The modern concepts of the rheology of viscous mantle and brittle lithosphere, as well as the results of the numerical experiments on the processes in a heated layer with a viscosity dependent on pressure, temperature, and shear stress, are reviewed. These dependences are inferred from the laboratory studies of olivine and measurements of postglacial rebound (glacial isostatic adjustment) and geoid anomalies. The numerical solution of classical conservation equations for mass, heat, and momentum shows that thermal convection with a highly viscous rigid lithosphere develops in the layer with the parameters of the mantle with the considered rheology under a temperature difference of 3500 K, without any special additional conditions due to the self-organization of the material. If the viscosity parameters of the lithosphere correspond to dry olivine, the lithosphere remains monolithic (unbroken). At a lower strength (probably due to the effects of water), the lithosphere splits into a set of separate rigid plates divided by the ridges and subduction zones. The plates submerge into the mantle, and their material is involved in the convective circulation. The results of the numerical experiment may serve as direct empirical evidence to validate the basic concepts of the theory of plate tectonics; these experiments also reveal some new features of the mantle convection. The probable structure of the flows in the upper and lower mantle (including the asthenosphere), which shows the primary role of the lithospheric plates, is demonstrated for the first time.     

δ objects as a gauge for stress sensitivity of strain rate in mylonites

Our understanding of the flow properties of deforming rocks in the Earth's lithosphere is mainly based on theoretical work and on the extrapolation of high-strain-rate experimental data to the low strain rates of rock deformation in nature. The geometry of structures in naturally deformed rocks can be an additional source of information on the rheology of the lithosphere. Flow experiments show that the geometry of a mantle of recrystallised material around a rigid object can be used to distinguish between a linear or power-law relation of differential stress and strain rate in strongly deformed rocks such as mylonites. This means that it is possible to use geometrical patterns in deformed rocks to constrain aspects of the rheology and to check the applicability of theoretical models and the extrapolation of laboratory data on creep in rocks to nature.     

Geophysical observations pertaining to solid-state convection in the terrestrial planets

We present a broad-based review of the observational evidence that pertains to or otherwise implies solid-state convection to be occurring (or have occurred) in the interiors of the terrestrial planets.For the Earth, the motion of the plates is prima facie evidence of large-scale mantle convection. Provided we understand upper-mantle thermal conductivity correctly, heat flow beneath the old ocean basins may be too high to be transported conductively from the upper mantle through the base of the lithosphere and therefore convection on a second smaller scale might be operative. The horizontal scale of plate dimensions implies, due to typical cell aspect ratios observed in convection, that the motion extends to the core-mantle boundary. Improved global data coverage and viscoelastic modeling of isostatic rebound due to Pleistocene deglaciation imply a uniform mantle viscosity, and thus indicate that whole-mantle convection could exist. Additionally, there is some seismic evidence of lithospheric penetration to depths deeper than 700 km. We discuss some salient features and assumption boundedness of arguments for convection confined to the upper mantle and for convection which acts throughout the mantle since the vertical length scale has a profound effect upon the relevance of geophysical observations. The horizontal form of mantle convection may be fully three-dimensional with complex planform and, therefore, searching for correlative gravity patterns in the ocean basins may not be useful without additional geophysical constraints. Many long-wavelength gravity anomalies may arise from beneath the lithosphere and must be supported dynamically, although thermal convection is not a unique explanation. Topography is an additional geophysical constraint, but for wavelengths greater than a few hundred kilometers, a general lack of correlation exists between oceanic residual gravity and topography, except at specific locations such as Hawaii. Theoretical calculations predict a complex relationship between these two observational types. Oceanic gravity data alone shows no regular planform and there is no correlation with any small-scale convective pattern predicted by laboratory experiments.All of the observational evidence argues against Martian plate tectonics occurring now or over much of the history of this planet, but lack of plate tectonics is not an argument against interior convection. The Tharsis uplift on Mars may have resulted from convective processes in the mantle, and the present-day gravity anomaly associated with Tharsis must be supported by the finite strength of the lithosphere or by mantle convection. Stresses imparted by the present topographic load would be greater than a kilobar, in excess of long-term finite strength. Observed fracture patterns are probably a direct result of this load, and the key question concerns the level of resultant strain relief. The global topographic and geomorphic dichotomy between the northern and southern hemisphere required a solid-state flow process to create the accompanying center-of-figure to center-of-mass offset.Lunar heat flow values, in analogy with oceanic heat flow on the Earth, strongly imply a convective mechanism of heat transport in the interior which, based on seismic Q values, is limited to the lower mantle. The presence of moonquakes in this region does not preclude solid-state convective processes. Lunar conductivity profiles provide no information on convection because of the difficulty in conductivity modeling, uniqueness of models, and the uncertainty in the conductivity-temperature relationship. The excess oblateness of the lunar figure over the hydrostatic value does not require convective support; in fact, such a mechanism is unlikely.The presence of a dipole magnetic field on Mercury does not provide a constraint on mantle convection unless its existence can be inextricably linked to a molten core. The non-hydrostatic shape of the equatorial figure, required for the observed $\text{3}\text{2}$ resonance between Mercury's rotational and orbital periods, is most likely related to surface processes, as opposed to convection. The $\text{3n}\text{2}$ resonance implies escape from a 2n resonance and, therefore, is related to the question of a molten core. Further dynamical data is needed to constrain interior models.Interpretation of limited radar imagery for the surface of Venus is enigmatic in terms of plate tectonics and therefore interior convection. Linear tensional and possibly compressional features are observed, but there are also crustal regions which appear to show large impact structures and are thus geologically old and may not have been recycled.     

基于地幔动力学模拟推断云南地区剪切波各向异性源的深度

地震各向异性与地幔对流导致的变形存在因果关系,因此地幔对流模拟可被用来预测地震各向异性,并推测剪切波各向异性地幔源的深度.本文建立了基于地震速度结构的地幔对流模型来预测云南地区剪切波分裂的快波方向,它同时受地表板块运动和地幔内部的温度扰动所驱动.通过与观测结果进行对比分析,推测在云南地区西北部和东部区域,剪切波各向异性源主要存在于岩石圈中.在西南部和四川盆地及其西缘,地幔流动可能是剪切波各向异性的主要贡献者,各向异性层分别位于210~330 km和170~330 km深度,导致西南部剪切波各向异性的地幔可能处于大幅度的剪切变形状态,而四川盆地及其西缘主要处于中等强度的剪切变形状态.