Geodynamics of the Lithosphere: An IntroductionThe large scale structure of the earth is caused by geodynamic processes which are explained using energetic, kinematic and dynamic descriptions. While "geodynamic processes" are understood to include a large variety of processes and the term is used quite loosely, the methods of their description involve well defined fields. Energetic descriptions are involved with distribu tion of energy in our planet, typically expressed in terms of heat and tempera ture. Kinematic descriptions describe movements using velocities, strains and strain rates. Dynamic descriptions indicate how stresses and forces behave. In the field, we document only the consequences of geological processes. The underlying causes are much harder to constrain directly. Nevertheless, if we want to explain the tectonic evolution of our planet, we need to interpret these causes or: "driving forces" . For this, we need to find a dynamic description of geological processes that is consistent with our observations. Our descriptions relate causes and consequences - tectonic processes with field observations. In many cases, we will use equations as a concise form to describe processes and observations in nature. As we will be dealing mostly with large scale tectonic questions, the observations that we shall use are also on a large scale. For example, we shall use observations on the elevation (Fig. 1. 1) and heat flow of mountain ranges, the thickness of continents and the water depth of the oceans. |
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Page viii
... force balance of a certain nappe staking geometry interpreted from structural mapping are a fantastic way to test its mechanical plausibility . This book was written because there appears to be a strong bi - modality in the nature of ...
... force balance of a certain nappe staking geometry interpreted from structural mapping are a fantastic way to test its mechanical plausibility . This book was written because there appears to be a strong bi - modality in the nature of ...
Page x
... .2 Short Range Transport . 184 4.5.3 Long Range Transport : Drainages 193 4.5.4 Discontinuous Landscape Formation 200 4.5.5 The Shape of Volcanoes 200 4.5.6 Fractals . 202 5 . 4.6 Problems . Mechanics : Force and Rheology.
... .2 Short Range Transport . 184 4.5.3 Long Range Transport : Drainages 193 4.5.4 Discontinuous Landscape Formation 200 4.5.5 The Shape of Volcanoes 200 4.5.6 Fractals . 202 5 . 4.6 Problems . Mechanics : Force and Rheology.
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An Introduction Kurt Stüwe. 5 . 4.6 Problems . Mechanics : Force and Rheology . 5.1 Stress - The Basics 5.1.1 The ... Forces Applied to Lithospheric Plates . 5.3.1 Transmission Mechanisms 5.3.2 Forces in Oceanic Lithosphere . 5.3.3 Forces ...
An Introduction Kurt Stüwe. 5 . 4.6 Problems . Mechanics : Force and Rheology . 5.1 Stress - The Basics 5.1.1 The ... Forces Applied to Lithospheric Plates . 5.3.1 Transmission Mechanisms 5.3.2 Forces in Oceanic Lithosphere . 5.3.3 Forces ...
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... force to remain fixed . The right hand boundary is stress free in both tangential and normal direction . The bottom boundary is tangentially stress free and is forces to move northwards at the constant rate that ends up in the shape of ...
... force to remain fixed . The right hand boundary is stress free in both tangential and normal direction . The bottom boundary is tangentially stress free and is forces to move northwards at the constant rate that ends up in the shape of ...
Page 23
... forces in the horizontal and vertical directions . Velocities and forces are described by vectors . This means that they have a direction and a magnitude and can be split up into vector components that are parallel to the axes of a ...
... forces in the horizontal and vertical directions . Velocities and forces are described by vectors . This means that they have a direction and a magnitude and can be split up into vector components that are parallel to the axes of a ...
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Common terms and phrases
advection assumed assumptions asthenosphere basins boundary conditions calculated with eq column constant contact metamorphic continental lithosphere cooling coordinate crust crustal curves deformation density described deviatoric deviatoric stress diagram diffusion discussed earth Earth Planet elastic equation equilibration equilibrium example exhumation fault Figure force function geodynamic geological geometry geotherm gradient grid heat conduction heat production horizontal illustrated integrated intrusion isostasy isostatic isotherms large igneous provinces layer length scale mantle lithosphere mechanical metamorphic rocks mid-oceanic ridges Moho motion mountain range normal stresses occur oceanic lithosphere orogen P-T-paths parameters plate tectonic potential energy pressure Problem processes reference frame region relationship rheology rift rocks Sandiford sect sediment sedimentary basins shear shear stresses shown shows slope solution spatial strain rate Stüwe subduction zones subsidence surface elevation surface heat flow temperature profile tensor terrain thermal evolution thickening thickness Topographic uplift variable velocity vertical viscous wedge
Popular passages
Page 463 - Angelier J (1984) Tectonic analysis of fault slip data sets. J Geophys Res 89: 58355848 Angelier J (1994) Fault slip analysis and palaeo-stress reconstruction.
Page 345 - Q is the activation energy, R is the gas constant and T is the absolute sintering temperature.
Page 468 - Length scales for continental deformation in convergent, divergent and strike-slip environments: analytical and approximate solutions for a thin viscous sheet model.
Page vi - I dislike very much to consider any quantitative problem set by a geologist. In nearly every case the conditions given are much too vague for the matter to be in any sense satisfactory, and a geologist does not seem to mind a few millions of years in matters relating to time.
Page 466 - Cloos, M., 1982, Flow melanges: Numerical modeling and geologic constraints on their origin in the Franciscan subduction complex, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v.
Page 466 - Christensen, UR and Yuen, DA, 1984. The interaction of a subducting lithospheric slab with a chemical or phase boundary.
Page 464 - Athey D (1975) A preliminary thermal model for regional metamorphism in the eastern Alps. Earth Planet Sci Lett 26: 13-28 Bird P (1979) Continental delamination and the Colorado Plateau.
Page 478 - O (1991) Lateral extrusion in the Eastern Alps, part 2: structural analysis.
Page 468 - PC and Holland, TJB, 1979. Archimedes and the Tauern eclogites: the role of buoyancy in the preservation of exotic eclogite blocks. Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett., 44: 287-294.
Page 203 - The bifurcation ratio, or ratio of number of streams of a given order to the number of streams of the next lower order is an important dimensionless feature of streams.