Crustal and mantle strengths in continental lithosphere: is the jelly sandwich model obsolete?

The relative importance of the contribution of the lower crust and of the lithospheric mantle to the total strength of the continental lithosphere is assessed systematically for realistic ranges of layer thickness, composition, and temperature. Results are presented as relative strength maps, giving the ratio of the lower crust to upper mantle contribution in terms of crustal thickness and surface heat flow. The lithosphere shows a “jelly sandwich” rheological layering for low surface heat flow, thin to average crustal thickness, and felsic or wet mafic lower crustal compositions. On the other hand, most of the total strength resides in the seismogenic crust in regions of high surface heat flow, crust of any thickness, and dry mafic lower crustal composition.     

东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷岩石圈热流变性质

为了探讨东海陆架盆地西湖凹陷岩石圈热流变性质,本文以实测地温数据为依据,模拟西湖凹陷岩石圈热结构,在此基础上,应用流变学原理模拟确定西湖凹陷岩石圈流变性质。结果表明,西湖凹陷岩石圈为一个冷地壳-热地幔、强地壳-弱地幔的"奶油蛋糕"型岩石圈。西湖凹陷平均地表热流密度为71 m W/m~2,地幔热流密度为40~65 m W/m~2,对地表热流密度的贡献度达73%~79%,地表热流受地幔热流控制,莫霍面温度在700℃左右,热岩石圈平均厚度为66 km。西湖凹陷岩石圈流变分层明显,上、中地壳基本为脆性层,下地壳和岩石圈上地幔为韧性层,岩石圈总流变强度平均约为2.65′10~(12) N/m,其中地壳流变强度为2.12′10~(12) N/m,地幔流变强度为5.29′10~(11) N/m,有效弹性厚度为11.7~14.5 km,地壳的流变性质控制了岩石圈的流变行为。此外,西湖凹陷岩石圈总强度较低,在构造应力作用下易于变形,且存在壳幔解耦现象。西湖凹陷岩石圈热状态及流变性质决定了西湖凹陷东部地区主要以浅部地壳的断层滑动和地层破裂来调节深部的构造应力。     

Rheological stratification of the Indian continental lithosphere: Role of diffusion creep

Dynamic recrystallization and reduction in grain-size at large strains, e.g. in shear zones, leads to rheological weakening of the lithosphere and facilitates intense ductile deformation. In the present work, we include this effect into the rheological models of the Indian continental lithosphere to analyse its role in modifying the rheological structure and strength of the Indian lithosphere. The results computed by using quartz and felspar rheologies for the upper and lower crust, respectively, and grain-size dependent olivine rheology for the upper mantle, indicate an increase in the ductility of the mantle lithosphere.     

Thermorheological model for the European Central Alps: brittle–ductile transition and lithospheric strength

A two‐dimensional thermorheological model of the Central Alps along a north–south transect is presented. Thermophysical and rheological parameters of the various lithological units are chosen from seismic and gravity information. The inferred temperature distribution matches surface heat flow and results in Moho temperatures between 500 and 800 °C. Both European and Adriatic lithospheres have a ‘jelly‐sandwich’ structure, with a 15–20 km thick brittle upper crust overlying a ductile lower crust and a mantle lid whose uppermost part is brittle. The total strength of the lithosphere is of the order of 0.5–1.0 × 10¹³ N m⁻¹ if the upper mantle is dry, or slightly less if the upper mantle is wet. In both cases, the higher values correspond to the Adriatic indenter.     

中国岩石圈的基本特征

中国及邻区岩石圈结构构造十分复杂,并具有若干明显的特点:中国大陆地壳西厚东薄、南厚北薄,青藏高原地壳平均厚度为60~65 km,最厚达80 km;东部地区一般为30~35 km,南中国海中央海盆平均只有5 km;中国大陆地壳平均厚度为476 km,大大超过全球地壳392 km的平均厚度。中国大陆及邻区岩石圈亦呈西厚东薄、南厚北薄的变化趋势,青藏高原及西北地区岩石圈平均厚度为165 km,塔里木盆地中东部、帕米尔与昌都地区岩石圈厚度可达180~200 km。大兴安岭-太行山-武陵山以东,包括边缘海为岩石圈减薄区,厚度为50~85 km。西部岩石圈、软流圈“层状结构”明显,反映了板块碰撞汇聚的动力学环境;东部岩石圈、软流圈呈“块状镶嵌结构”,岩石圈薄,软流圈厚,反映了地壳拉张、软流圈物质上涌的特点,并在东亚及西太平洋地区85~250 km深处形成一巨型低速异常体。中国东部上、下地壳及地壳、岩石圈地幔之间普遍存在“上老下新”年龄结构。     

Global 1° × 1° thermal model TC1 for the continental lithosphere: Implications for lithosphere secular evolution

This paper reports a new 1° × 1° global thermal model for the continental lithosphere (TC1). Geotherms for continental terranes of different ages (> 3.6 Ga to present) constrained by reliable data on borehole heat flow measurements (Artemieva, I.M., Mooney, W.D. 2001. Thermal structure and evolution of Precambrian lithosphere: a global study. J. Geophys. Res 106, 16387–16414.), are statistically analyzed as a function of age and are used to estimate lithospheric temperatures in continental regions with no or low-quality heat flow data (ca. 60% of the continents). These data are supplemented by cratonic geotherms based on electromagnetic and xenolith data; the latter indicate the existence of Archean cratons with two characteristic thicknesses, ca. 200 and > 250 km. A map of tectono-thermal ages of lithospheric terranes complied for the continents on a 1° × 1° grid and combined with the statistical age relationship of continental geotherms (z = 0.04  t + 93.6, where z is lithospheric thermal thickness in km and t is age in Ma) formed the basis for a new global thermal model of the continental lithosphere (TC1). The TC1 model is presented by a set of maps, which show significant thermal heterogeneity within continental upper mantle, with the strongest lateral temperature variations (as large as 800 °C) in the shallow mantle. A map of the depth to a 550 °C isotherm (Curie isotherm for magnetite) in continental upper mantle is presented as a proxy to the thickness of the magnetic crust; the same map provides a rough estimate of elastic thickness of old (> 200 Ma) continental lithosphere, in which flexural rigidity is dominated by olivine rheology of the mantle.Statistical analysis of continental geotherms reveals that thick (> 250 km) lithosphere is restricted solely to young Archean terranes (3.0–2.6 Ga), while in old Archean cratons (3.6–3.0 Ga) lithospheric roots do not extend deeper than 200–220 km. It is proposed that the former were formed by tectonic stacking and underplating during paleocollision of continental nuclei; it is likely that such exceptionally thick lithospheric roots have a limited lateral extent and are restricted to paleoterrane boundaries. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of the growth rate of the lithosphere since the Archean, which does not reveal a peak in lithospheric volume at 2.7–2.6 Ga as expected from growth curves for juvenile crust.A pronounced peak in the rate of lithospheric growth (10–18 km³/year) at 2.1–1.7 Ga (as compared to 5–8 km³/year in the Archean) well correlates with a peak in the growth of juvenile crust and with a consequent global extraction of massif-type anorthosites. It is proposed that large-scale variations in lithospheric thickness at cratonic margins and at paleoterrane boundaries controlled anorogenic magmatism. In particular, mid-Proterozoic anorogenic magmatism at the cratonic margins was caused by edge-driven convection triggered by a fast growth of the lithospheric mantle at 2.1–1.7 Ga. Belts of anorogenic magmatism within cratonic interiors can be caused by a deflection of mantle heat by a locally thickened lithosphere at paleosutures and, thus, can be surface manifestations of exceptionally thick lithospheric roots. The present volume of continental lithosphere as estimated from the new global map of lithospheric thermal thickness is 27.8 (± 7.0) × 10⁹ km³ (excluding submerged terranes with continental crust); preserved continental crust comprises ca. 7.7 × 10⁹ km³. About 50% of the present continental lithosphere existed by 1.8 Ga.     

造山带蠕动应力场格局与后造山伸展作用

在理解岩石圈内部流变分层性和造山带热异常形成与演化多控制因素的基础上，建立了造山带热－应力作用数值模型，研究了不同参数下造山带不同部位蠕动应力场的格局及其演化。其研究结果表明，碰撞终止后岩石圈内部应力调整或热松驰控制了造山带内部不同层次构造样式。在造山带中心，加厚岩石圈在碰撞附加力终止后40Ma，岩石圈应力强度明显减少，可诱发科迪勒拉式后造山伸展作用；在地壳中下层次或岩石圈深部（约40～60km、120～150km）可发生拆沉作用，但非岩石圈地幔的整体拆沉，其动力源自岩石圈套内部相应层位的应力引张；在40Ma以内或在拆沉作用发生前，岩石圈地幔根部及地壳中下层次作为热的应变软化区段，相应控制着Moho面形态及中上地壳构造样式；缝合带及造山带前缘作为应力挤压区，在10Ma可出现局部应力引张，孕育喜马拉雅式伸展。但在宽度巨大的造山带（1000km以上），后造山伸展作用的发生则与带内其它大规模构造活化有关。     

Fission track and fault kinematics analyses for new insight into the Late Cenozoic tectonic regime changes in West-Central Sulawesi (Indonesia)

A 3-D density model for the Cretan and Libyan Seas and Crete was developed by gravity modelling constrained by five 2-D seismic lines. Velocity values of these cross-sections were used to obtain the initial densities using the Nafe–Drake and Birch empirical functions for the sediments, the crust and the upper mantle. The crust outside the Cretan Arc is 18 to 24 km thick, including 10 to 14 km thick sediments. The crust below central Crete at its thickest section, has values between 32 and 34 km, consisting of continental crust of the Aegean microplate, which is thickened by the subducted oceanic plate below the Cretan Arc. The oceanic lithosphere is decoupled from the continental along a NW–SE striking front between eastern Crete and the Island of Kythera south of Peloponnese. It plunges steeply below the southern Aegean Sea and is probably associated with the present volcanic activity of the southern Aegean Sea in agreement with published seismological observations of intermediate seismicity. Low density and velocity upper mantle below the Cretan Sea with ρ  3.25 × 10³ kg/m³ and V_p velocity of compressional waves around 7.7 km/s, which are also in agreement with observed high heat flow density values, point out at the mobilization of the upper mantle material here. Outside the Hellenic Arc the upper mantle density and velocity are ρ ≥ 3.32 × 10³ kg/m³ and V_p = 8.0 km/s, respectively. The crust below the Cretan Sea is thin continental of 15 to 20 km thickness, including 3 to 4 km of sediments. Thick accumulations of sediments, located to the SSW and SSE of Crete, are separated by a block of continental crust extended for more than 100 km south of Central Crete. These deep sedimentary basins are located on the oceanic crust backstopped by the continental crust of the Aegean microplate. The stretched continental margin of Africa, north of Cyrenaica, and the abruptly terminated continental Aegean microplate south of Crete are separated by oceanic lithosphere of only 60 to 80 km width at their closest proximity. To the east and west, the areas are floored by oceanic lithosphere, which rapidly widens towards the Herodotus Abyssal plain and the deep Ionian Basin of the central Mediterranean Sea. Crustal shortening between the continental margins of the Aegean microplate and Cyrenaica of North Africa influence the deformation of the sediments of the Mediterranean Ridge that has been divided in an internal and external zone. The continental margin of Cyrenaica extends for more than 80 km to the north of the African coast in form of a huge ramp, while that of the Aegean microplate is abruptly truncated by very steep fractures towards the Mediterranean Ridge. Changes in the deformation style of the sediments express differences of the tectonic processes that control them. That is, subduction to the northeast and crustal subsidence to the south of Crete. Strike-slip movement between Crete and Libya is required by seismological observations.     

Thermal and mechanical structure of the central Iberian Peninsula lithosphere

The central Iberian Peninsula (Spain) is made up of three main tectonic units: a mountain range, the Spanish Central System and two Tertiary basins (those of the rivers Duero and Tajo). These units are the result of widespread foreland deformation of the Iberian plate interior in response to Alpine convergence of European and African plates. The present study was designed to investigate thermal structure and rheological stratification in this region of central Spain. Surface heat flow has been described to range from 80 to 60 mW m⁻². Highest surface heat flow values correspond to the Central System and northern part of the Tajo Basin. The relationship between elevation and thermal state was used to construct a one-dimensional thermal model. Mantle heat flow drops from 34 mW m⁻² (Duero Basin) to 27 mW m⁻² (Tajo Basin), and increases with diminishing surface heat flow. Strength predictions made by extrapolating experimental data indicate varying rheological stratification throughout the area. In general, in compression, ductile fields predominate in the middle and lower crusts and lithospheric mantle. Brittle behaviour is restricted to the first 8 km of the upper crust and to a thin layer at the top of the middle crust. In tension, brittle layers are slightly more extended, while the lower crust and lithospheric mantle remain ductile in the case of a wet peridotite composition. Discontinuities in brittle and ductile layer thickness determine lateral rheological anisotropy. Tectonic units roughly correspond to rheological domains. Brittle layers reach their maximum thickness beneath the Duero Basin and are of least thickness under the Tajo Basin, especially its northern area. Estimated total lithospheric strength shows a range from 2.5×10¹² to 8×10¹² N m⁻¹ in compression, and from 1.3×10¹² to 1.6×10¹² N m⁻¹ in tension. Highest values were estimated for the Duero Basin.Depth versus frequency of earthquakes correlates well with strength predictions. Earthquake foci concentrate mainly in the upper crust, showing a peak close to maximum strength depth. Most earthquakes occur in the southern margin of the Central System and southeast Tajo Basin. Seismicity is related to major faults, some bounding rheological domains. The Duero Basin is a relative quiescence zone characterised by higher total lithospheric strength than the remaining units.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987110000071

<正>The lithospheric structure of China and its adjacent area is very complex and is marked by several prominent characteristics.Firstly,China's continental crust is thick in the west but thins to the east,and thick in the south but thins to the north.Secondly,the continental crust of the Qinghai—Tibet Plateau has an average thickness of 60—65 km with a maximum thickness of 80 km,whereas in eastern China the average thickness is 30—35 km,with a minimum thickness of only 5 km in the center of the South China Sea.The average thickness of continental crust in China is 47.6 km,which greatly exceeds the global average thickness of 39.2 km.Thirdly,as with the crust,the lithosphere of China and its adjacent areas shows a general pattern of thicker in the west and south,and thinner in the east and north.The lithosphere of the Qinghai—Tibet Plateau and northwestern China has an average thickness of 165 km, with a maximum thickness of 180—200 km in the central and eastern parts of the Tarim Basin,Pamir, and Changdu areas.In contrast,the vast areas to the east of the Da Hinggan Ling—Taihang—Wuling Mountains,including the marginal seas,are characterized by lithospheric thicknesses of only 50—85 km.Fourthly,in western China the lithosphere and asthenosphere behave as a "layered structure", reflecting their dynamic background of plate collision and convergence.The lithosphere and asthenosphere in eastern China display a "block mosaic structure",where the lithosphere is thin and the asthenosphere is very thick,a pattern reflecting the consequences of crustal extension and an upsurge of asthenospheric materials.The latter is responsible for a huge low velocity anomaly at a depth of 85—250 km beneath East Asia and the western Pacific Ocean.Finally,in China there is an age structure of "older in the upper layers and younger in the lower layers" between both the upper and lower crusts and between the crust and the lithospheric mantle.     

中国大陆岩石圈等效粘滞系数的计算和讨论

大陆岩石圈的流变结构对岩石圈动力学过程有很大的影响,因此对岩石圈等效粘度的估计是大陆动力学研究中基础和重要的问题。文中对利用实验室流变实验结果估算岩石圈流变结构的计算方法中包含的多种不确定性进行了讨论,包括岩性、温度、应变速率、实验室速率数据外推到地质构造运动速率等因素对等效粘滞系数估算的影响,并以温度和应变速率的新研究成果为基础,对中国大陆地壳和上地幔等效粘滞系数做出了估计。中国中地壳等效粘滞系数一般在1021~1024Pa.s,下地壳等效粘滞系数在1021~1022Pa.s,其中青藏高原下地壳等效粘滞系数较低,约为1019~1020Pa.s;与前人研究认为青藏高原存在柔性下地壳流动的结论吻合。     

Lithosphere thermal structure at the eastern margin of the Bohemian Massif: a case petrological and geophysical study of the Nied?wied? amphibolite massif (SW Poland)

The crustal section beneath amphibolite Nied?wied? Massif (Fore-Sudetic Block in NE Bohemian Massif), modelled on the basis of geological and seismic data, is dominated by gneisses with subordinate granites (upper and middle crust) and melagabbros (lower crust). The geotherm was calculated based on the chemical analyses of the heat-producing elements in the rocks forming the crust and the measurements of their density and heat conductivity. The results were verified by heat flow calculations based on temperature measurements from 1,600?m deep well in the Nied?wied? Massif and by temperature–depth estimates in mantle xenoliths coming from the nearby ca. 4.5?My basanite plug in Lutynia. The paleoclimate-corrected heat flow in the Nied?wied? Massif is 69.5?mW?m^?2, and the mantle heat flow is 28?mW?m^?2. The mantle beneath the Massif was located marginally relative to the areas of intense Cenozoic thermal rejuvenation connected with alkaline volcanism. This results in geotherm which is representative for lithosphere parts located at the margins of zones of continental alkaline volcanism and at its waning stages. The lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) beneath Nied?wied? is located between 90 and 100?km depth and supposedly the rheological change at LAB is not related to the appearance of melt.     

Two- and three-dimensional gravity modeling along western continental margin and intraplate Narmada-Tapti rifts: Its relevance to Deccan flood basalt volcanism

The western continental margin and the intraplate Narmada-Tapti rifts are primarily covered by Deccan flood basalts. Three-dimensional gravity modeling of +70mgal Bouguer gravity highs extending in the north-south direction along the western continental margin rift indicates the presence of a subsurface high density, mafic-ultramafic type, elongated, roughly ellipsoidal body. It is approximately 12.0 ±1.2 km thick with its upper surface at an approximate depth of 6.0 ±0.6 km, and its average density is {dy2935} kg/m³. Calculated dimension of the high density body in the upper crust is 300 ±30 km in length and 25 ±2.5 to 40 ±4 km in width. Three-dimensional gravity modeling of +10mgal to -30mgal Bouguer gravity highs along the intraplate Narmada-Tapti rift indicates the presence of eight small isolated high density mafic bodies with an average density of {dy2961} kg/m³. These mafic bodies are convex upward and their top surface is estimated at an average depth of 6.5 ±0.6 (between 6 and 8km). These isolated mafic bodies have an average length of 23.8 ±2.4km and width of 15.9 ±1.5km. Estimated average thickness of these mafic bodies is 12.4±1.2km. The difference in shape, length and width of these high density mafic bodies along the western continental margin and the intraplate Narmada-Tapti rifts suggests that the migration and concentration of high density magma in the upper lithosphere was much more dominant along the western continental margin rift. Based on the three-dimensional gravity modeling, it is conjectured that the emplacement of large, ellipsoidal high density mafic bodies along the western continental margin and small, isolated mafic bodies along the Narmada-Tapti rift are related to lineament-reactivation and subsequent rifting due to interaction of hot mantle plume with the lithospheric weaknesses (lineaments) along the path of Indian plate motion over the Réunion hotspot. Mafic bodies formed in the upper lithosphere as magma chambers along the western continental margin and the intraplate Narmada-Tapti rifts at estimated depths between 6 and 8 km from the surface (consistent with geological, petrological and geochemical models) appear to be the major reservoirs for Deccan flood basalt volcanism at approximately 65 Ma.     

大陆地区构造活动、地热及地壳-上地幔结构之间关系的探讨

随着板块构造学说的兴起和发展,对大洋地区构造活动、地热及地壳-上地幔结构之间的关系已有了较为明确的认识。在大陆地区,由于其构造发展历史的复杂性,对这种关系的认识还远没有大洋区那样系统和清晰。但近二十年来,大陆地区各种地球物理资料的大量积累已为进行这种研究提供了较为坚实的基础。     

Effect of brittle fracture on the rheological structure of the lithosphere and its application in the Ordos

An empirical formula for the fracture strength of the principal rock type in the lithosphere is obtained based on the experimental data from previous studies, in which the effects of the confining pressure, size of the rock sample, temperature, strain rate and the pore pressure are taken into account, the empirical formulae for the effects of them are also presented. By comparing the frictional strength to the fracture strength calculated using the new empirical formula, it is shown that frictional sliding is dominant in the upper crust but brittle fracture is dominant in the lower part of the crust and the lithosphere beneath the crust. Therefore the fracture mechanism must be taken into account in the study of the rheological structure of the lithosphere. The empirical formula for the fracture strength is applied to study the rheological structure of the lithosphere in the Ordos block. Brittle regime in the rheological structure can be divided into two sub-regions, in one of which brittle fracture and in the other frictional sliding are dominant, respectively, unlike previous conventional studies in which frictional sliding is assumed to be the only factor; the magnitude of the rheological strength of the lithosphere calculated by the empirical formula is also lower than that obtained in previous conventional studies.     

关于岩石圈有效弹性厚度的地质理解

简要回顾了岩石圈均衡理论的发展及岩石圈区域均衡和挠曲理论在岩石圈动力学研究中起的作用,阐述岩石圈有效弹性厚度(Te)的概念和特征。强调Te的研究是地质学和地球物理学的紧密结合,即通过岩石圈挠曲理论和区域均衡原理,对地形和重力资料进行谱分析计算,来获取岩石圈的物理性质信息。计算的Te(和相应的挠曲刚度)是岩石圈等效的强度,与爆破地震、地震层析成像和大地电磁测深等方法观测到的岩石圈和地壳厚度不同,它们之间只有通过岩石圈的屈服刚度包络面(YSE)才能比较。大洋和大陆岩石圈YSE的理论计算,表明Te值显著小于地震学的地壳和岩石圈厚度。尤其对于大陆岩石圈,地壳厚度、热年龄和应变率均可显著影响岩石圈的强度。本文还以滇西为实例介绍了对相干值曲线计算的新认识和当前岩石圈Te研究的最新趋势。     

华北克拉通晚中生代壳-幔拆离作用: 岩石流变学约束

大陆岩石圈的流变学结构对于岩石圈深部过程(壳/幔过程)有着深刻的影响,直接表现在岩石圈壳-幔结构与浅部构造上.本文注意到华北克拉通晚中生代岩石圈减薄期间地壳的伸展、拆离与减薄在不同地区的宏观、微观构造及地壳岩石流变学等方面的差异表现与区域变化,以及现今和晚中生代时期岩石圈厚度的不均匀性.讨论了以水为主体的地质流体的存在对于岩石圈流变性的影响.综合克拉通东部与西部地壳/地幔厚度变化特点以及下地壳和上地幔含水性特点,阐述了晚中生代时期华北克拉通岩石圈内部壳幔耦合与解耦的规律,提出了华北岩石圈壳-幔拆离作用模型以解释华北克拉通晚中生代岩石圈减薄的基本现象与深部过程.提出区域性伸展作用是岩石圈减薄的主要动力学因素,东部地区在晚中生代伸展作用过程中壳-幔具有典型的解耦性,上部地壳、下部地壳和岩石圈地幔的变形具有显著差异性.而西部区壳幔总体具有耦合性,下地壳与岩石圈地幔共同构成流变学强度很高且难以变形的岩石圈根.     

The isostatic state of the southern Urals crust

The Uralide orogen, in Central Russia, is the focus of intense geoscientific investigations during recent years. The international research is motivated by some unusual lithospheric features compared with other collisional belts including the preservation of (a) a collisional architecture with an orogenic root and a crustal thickness of 55–58 km, and (b) large volumes of very low-grade and non-metamorphic oceanic crust and island arc rocks in the upper crust of a low–relief mountain belt. The latter cause anomalous gravity highs along the thickened crust and the isostatic equilibrium inside the Uralides lithosphere as well as the overthrust high-metamorphic rocks. The integrated URSEIS '95 seismic experiment provides fundamentally new data revealing the lithospheric architecture of an intact Paleozoic collisional orogen that allows the construction of density models. In the Urals' lithosphere different velocity structures resolved by wide-angle seismic experiments along both the URSEIS '95- and the Troitsk profile. They can be used to constrain lithospheric density models: a first model consists of a deep subducted continental lower crust which has been highly eclogitized at depths of 60–90 km to a density of 3550 kg/m³. The second model shows a slightly eclogitized lower crust underlying the Uralide orogen with a crustal thickness of 60 km. The eclogitized lower crust causes a too-small impedance contrast to the lithospheric mantle resulting in a lack of reflectors in the area of the largest crustal thickness. Both models fit the measured gravity field. Analyzing the isostatic state of the southern Urals' lithosphere, both density models are in isostatic equilibrium.     

超高压榴辉岩流变学研究

大陆岩石圈和大洋岩石圈在成分、厚度和力学强度方面有明显的差别。因此,现有板块构造不完全适合于大陆构造。大陆地壳和上地幔流变学的综合研究是认识大陆构造最佳途径之一。流变学研究是大陆造山带几何学、运动学和动力学的桥梁。大陆岩石圈对构造作用、重力不稳定性和热结构的响应在很大程度上取决于岩石流变强度。岩石圈流变性质是岩石圈分层、构造复杂性和塑性流动的主导控制因素。超高压榴辉岩在地幔对流、壳-幔物质循环和俯冲带动力学起着重要作用。榴辉岩的流变性质和变形机制对于阐明大陆造山带和大陆深俯冲的动力学过程具有十分重要的意义。本文主要内容包括以下4个方面：（1）岩石流变学研究在地球动力学中地位和重要性;（2）回顾池际尚先生对岩石流变学实验的贡献;（3）近几年来超高压榴辉岩流变学研究成果;（4）国外岩石流变学实验研究发展态势和启示。     

Subduction and eduction of continental crust: major mechanisms during continent-continent collision and orogenic extensional collapse, a model based on the south Norwegian Caledonides

During continental collision in the middle Silurian, the thickness of the lithosphere under the Caledonides of S. Norway was doubled by subduction of the western margin of Baltica, including the Western Gneiss Region, under Laurentia. Crustal rocks of the Baltic plate reached sub-Moho depths of near 100 km or more as inferred from the presence of coesite in eclogites. Isostatic calculations indicate an average elevation of the mountain chain of about 3 km at this stage. The subducted lithosphere experienced vertical constrictional strains as a result of slab-pull by its heavy and cold root. Eduction of the deeply buried crustal material was initiated by decoupling of the Thermal Boundary Layer in the subducted lithosphere. Isostatic rebound resulted in very rapid uplift (1–2 mm yr^-1), and the deep crust was exhumed, mainly by tectonic extensional stripping over a period of 30–40 Myr. The eduction was probably related to a rolling hinge, footwall uplift mechanism, and the early high-pressure coaxial fabrics were overprinted by extensional simple shear as the deep crust reached middle and upper crustal levels. The model explains the present-day normal crustal thickness under the exhumed deep rocks without necessarily invoking large-scale lateral flow of material in the lower crust or igneous underplating.