[1] Three-dimensional models of the uplift of Beta Regio caused by a mantle plume satisfy constraints on gravity, topography, rheology, and the uplift rate substantially better than two-dimensional models. In particular, the uplift time of Beta Regio is reduced to an acceptable 800 million years. Three-dimensional models give the plume formation depth around 3000 km, which approximately corresp...

west directed subduction zones show common characteristics, such as low structural elevation, deep trench, steep slab and a conjugate back-arc basin that are opposite to those of the east directed subduction zones. the tectonomagmatic and metallogenic setting of the lut block is still a matter of debate and several hypotheses have been put forward. despite some authors denying the influence of ...

We develop a predictive model which has the ability to explain a postulated style of episodic plate tectonics on Venus, through the periodic occurrence of lithospheric subduction events. Present-day incipient subduction zones are associated with the existence of arcuate trenches on the Venusian lithosphere. These trenches resemble terrestrial subduction zones, and occur at the rim of coronae, u...

An isopach map made from seismic reflection and refraction data in the Bay of Bengal shows two prominent N-S trending features in the basement topography. One is the northernmost portion of the Ninetyeast Ridge which is totally buried by sediments north of 10øN. The other buried ridge trends roughly N-S for 1400 km at 85øE to the latitude of Sri Lanka and then curves toward the west. It has bas...

Article history: Received 19 April 2016 Received in revised form 28 July 2016 Accepted 1 August 2016 Available online xxxx The outermost layer of the solid Earth consists of relatively rigid plates whose horizontal motions are well described by the rules of plate tectonics. Yet, the thickness of these plates is poorly constrained, with different methods giving widely discrepant results. Here a ...

In this dissertation, I investigate the assembly and evolution of the Archean cratonic lithosphere by using two complementary seismological methods to image the lithospheric structure of the Slave craton in Canada. First, I perform surface wave tomographic inversions to constrain the depth dependence of Rayleigh wave phase velocity, shear wave velocity, and azimuthal anisotropy of the Slave cra...

Recently, a number of source-side shear wave splitting measurements that directly constrain anisotropy in the upper mantle beneath subducting slabs have been published. Such measurements have yielded an observational foundation on which to base our understanding of the dynamics of the sub-slab mantle. Here we compile measurements from recent studies of source-side splitting beneath slabs that e...

Tectonic plate motion and mantle dynamics processes are heavily influenced by the characteristics of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB), yet this boundary remains enigmatic regarding its properties and geometry. The processes involved in rifting at passive margins result in substantial alteration of the lithosphere through the transition from continental to oceanic lithologies. Here w...

Subducted lithosphere and crust are chem1cally d1stinct from amb1ent mantle, and some have hypoth.,sized that the result1ng anomdlous buoyancy may affect m1x1ng and, in particular, may CciUSe chem1cal heterogeneity topers ist. To explore th1s effect, two-dimensional convective mix1ng calculations have been carried out. Boundary cond1tions m1micking features of plate kinematics have been imposed...

[1] Pressure-release melting at mid-ocean ridges generate compositional and rheological layering in the oceanic mantle that may control the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere. We use dynamic models coupled with melting and petrological models to explore 1) the influence of this layering on the development of small-scale convection under the oceans, 2) its role in determining the thickness of ...