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Detailed Reference Information |
van den Berg, A.P., Yuen, D.A. and van Keken, P.E. (1991). Effects of depth-variations in Creep Laws on the formation of plates in mantle dynamics. Geophysical Research Letters 18: doi: 10.1029/91GL02573. issn: 0094-8276. |
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We have studied the influences of depth-varying rheologies on the structure of mantle convection and the near surface flow fields. Upwelling flows crossing the upper-lower mantle boundary become considerably thinner and faster. Streamlines are concentrated near the surface and other plate-like characteristics are enhnaced by this type of rheological stratification in which the averaged effective viscosity of the upper mantle is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of the lower mantle. The presence of a lithosphere with a higher non-linear dependence in the flow law further promotes plate-like behavior. Plate-like character of the top boundary-layer is encouraged by a decreasing depth-dependent viscosity in the non-Newtonian upper-mantle and by greater convective vigor. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Tectonophysics, Dynamics of the lithosphere and mantle, Tectonophysics, Rheology of the lithosphere and mantle, Tectonophysics, Plate motions, past and present |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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