The Use of the Minimum-dissipation Principle in Tectonophysics

The principle, that the rate of internal viscous dissipation is at a minimum, is incorrect when temperature and velocity fields are linked through temperature-dependent viscosity or density. This makes it inappropriate for the study of spreading ridge – transform fault systems or other plate-tectonic problems with large density stratification resulting from large temperature gradients. Corrections to the principle are noted for cases without heat advection but with boundary tractions or non-linear materials.