HR: 09:30h
AN: U41A-06 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: The coupled modeling of mantle convection and continental tectonics.
AU: * Moresi, L L
EM: louis.moresi@sci.monash.edu.au
AF: School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Building 28, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia
AU: Lenardic, A
EM: ajns@rice.edu
AF: Department of Earth Science, Rice University, MS 126, P.O. Box 1892, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251, United States
AU: Muhlhaus, H
EM: h.muhlhaus@uq.edu.au
AF: Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Queensland, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
AU: Mason, W
EM: wendy.mason@sci.monash.edu.au
AF: School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Building 28, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia
AB: The continental crust is a small fraction of the volume of the mantle and yet it has a disproportionate influence on the dynamics of the Earth. This is due to its relatively high buoyancy which ensures that it largely remains within the cool thermal boundary layer of the Earth's inner convection cycle. The continental crust has both a thermal and mechanical influence on the underlying convection. We will briefly summarize a number of interesting observations which relate to the interplay between the negative buoyancy of the crust, its tendency to insulate the mantle, and the heterogeneity in strength of the continental lithosphere. We next examine how the positive buoyancy of the continental crust and the negative buoyancy of subducting slabs interact - can subducted buoyant material interrupt subduction, and can subduction disrupt a strong continental block.
DE: 8100 TECTONOPHYSICS
DE: 8104 Continental margins: convergent
DE: 8120 Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general (1213)
SC: Union [U]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly