Constraining the Range and Variation of Lithospheric Net Rotation Using Geodynamic Modeling.

ABSTRACT: Lithospheric net rotation (LNR) is the movement of the lithosphere as a solid body with respect to the mantle. Separating the signal of LNR from plate tectonic motion is therefore an important factor in producing absolute plate motion models. Net rotation is difficult to constrain because of uncertainties in geological data and outstanding questions about the stability of the mantle plumes used as a reference frame. We use mantle convection simulations to investigate the controlling factors for the magnitude of LNR and to find the statistical predictability of LNR in a fully self-consistent convective system. We find that high lateral viscosity variations are required to produce Earth-like values of LNR. When the temperature dependence of viscosity is lower, and therefore slabs are softer,

SUBMITTER: Atkins S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9286441 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature