Lithospheric Stress Research Articles

Vertical high-velocity structures and seismic activity in western Shandong Rise, China: Case study inspired by double-difference seismic tomography

Abstract In this article, we collected the seismic phase arrival data (115°–120°E, 34°–39°N) of 2,833 local natural earthquakes above magnitude 1.0 recorded by 128 seismograph stations provided by the China Earthquake Networks Center covering the period from January 2008 to October 2023. We extracted the first arrival P- and S-wave arrival time data and obtained 26,351 P- and 26,349 S-wave absolute arrival times and 99,627 P-differential and 99,625 S-differential arrival times. Then, we determined 3-D P and S wave velocity structures under the Luxi region by using the double-difference tomography method. The results show lateral heterogeneities under the Luxi region, and the distribution of surface basins and uplift zones is associated with seismic velocities within the crust. The vertical section shows the widespread presence of vertical high-velocity bodies within the crust of the Luxi region, indicating seismological evidence of mantle upwelling in the region. Meanwhile, our imaging results also clearly indicate the presence of a significant low-velocity anomaly at depths of 13–17 km, which corresponds to the presence of a high-conductivity layer at that depth obtained from electromagnetic bathymetry. The transition zone between high and low velocities exists at a depth of 7–13 km, which plays an important role in the transfer of lithospheric stresses from the deep to the shallow part of the lithosphere. Combined with the results of the previous deep seismic wave velocity structure, petrology, and geological investigations, the deep dynamical background of the formation of slip tectonics and seismic mechanism in the Luxi area can be attributed to the go-slip activity of the Tan-Lu fault Zone, the subduction of the Pacific Plate, and the magmatism generated by mantle upwelling.

Morphological and Structural Characterization of Shortening Landforms on Mars

AbstractThe lithosphere of Mars accommodates horizontal shortening through folding and faulting, producing landforms described as wrinkle ridges or lobate scarps. Despite this nomenclature, we lack a deep understanding of the drivers of morphological differences observed between landform types. This study aims to develop a quantitative model for shortening landform classification based on surface morphology, subsurface architecture, and strain accommodation, facilitating interpretations of where and how lithospheric stresses are recorded. We developed this model by mapping 100 shortening landforms in a Geographic Information System, recording 12 unique geomorphic parameters such as length and asymmetry, and estimating the strain of each landform. We conducted a Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) using surface morphometrics. This DFA produced a predictive linear function for categorizing wrinkle ridges and lobate scarps and for quantifying which landforms were exemplars within those categories. The three most influential variables on the surface morphometry DFA were the maximum width, forelimb slope, and back limb length. We then modeled the subsurface structural geology of 50 landforms using MOVE Structural Geology Modeling Software and conducted a second DFA based on subsurface metrics. DFA was most influenced by the dip and depth of the lower ramp base. When both surface morphology and subsurface geometry are input into single DFA, wrinkle ridges and lobate scarps can be distinguished quantitatively 96% of the time. Our results also show that lobate scarps accommodate more strain and imply that studies should consider landform type when interpreting local, regional, and global geological stress histories.

A Brittle Constitutive Law for Long‐Term Tectonic Modeling Based on Sub‐Critical Crack Growth

AbstractAdequate representations of brittle deformation (fracturing and faulting) are essential ingredients of long‐term tectonic simulations. Such models commonly rely on Mohr‐Coulomb plasticity coupled with prescribed softening of cohesion and/or friction with accumulated plastic strain. This approach captures fundamental properties of brittle failure, but is overly sensitive to empirical softening parameters that cannot be determined experimentally. Here we design a brittle constitutive law that captures key processes of brittle deformation, and can be straightforwardly implemented in standard geodynamic models. In our Sub‐Critically‐Altered Maxwell (SCAM) flow law, brittle failure begins with the accumulation of distributed brittle damage, which represents the sub‐critical lengthening of tensile micro‐cracks prompted by slip on pre‐existing shear defects. Damage progressively and permanently weakens the rock's elastic moduli, until cracks catastrophically interact and coalesce up to macroscopic failure. The model's micromechanical parameters can be fully calibrated against rock deformation experiments, alleviating the need for ad‐hoc softening parameters. Upon implementing the SCAM flow law in 2‐D plane strain simulations of rock deformation experiments, we find that it can produce Coulomb‐oriented shear bands which originate as damage bands. SCAM models can also be used to extrapolate rock strength from laboratory to tectonic strain rates, and nuance the use of Byerlee's law as an upper bound on lithosphere stresses. We further show that SCAM models can be upscaled to simulate tectonic deformation of a 10‐km thick brittle plate over millions of years. These features make the SCAM rheology a promising tool to further investigate the complexity of brittle behavior across scales.

Relation between Central European Climate Change and Eifel Volcanism during the Last 130,000 Years: The ELSA-23-Tephra-Stack

The analysis of tephra layers in maar lake sediments of the Eifel shows 14 well-visible tephra during the last glacial cycle from the Holocene to the Eemian (0–130,000 yr b2k). These tephra were analyzed for their petrographic composition, which allows us to connect several tephra to eruption sites. All tephra were dated by application of the ELSA-20 chronology, developed using the late Pleistocene infilled maar lake of Auel and the Holocene lake Holzmaar (0–60,000 yr b2k). We extend the ELSA-20 chronology with this paper for the millennia of 60,000–130,000 yr b2k (ELSA-23 chronology), which is based on the infilled maar lake records from Dehner, Hoher List, and Jungferweiher. The evaluation of the tephra from the entire last glacial cycle shows that all 14 tephra were close to interstadial warming of the North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. In particular, phreatomagmatic maar eruptions were systematically associated with Heinrich events or C-events. These events represent times of warming of the Southern Hemisphere, global sea level rise, and CO2 increase, which predate the abrupt interstadial warming events of the Northern Hemisphere. This synchroneity indicates a physical relationship between endogenic and exogenic processes. Changes in the lithospheric stress field in response to changes in continental ice loads have already been suggested as a potential candidate to explain the exogenic forcing of endogenic processes. The chronology of volcanic activity in the Eifel demonstrates that intraplate mantle plumes are also affected by the exogenic forcing of endogenic processes.

Identifying Seismic Anomalies via Wavelet Maxima Analysis of Satellite Microwave Brightness Temperature Observations

This study develops a wavelet maxima-based methodology to extract anomalous signals from microwave brightness temperature (MBT) observations for seismogenic activity. MBT, acquired via satellite microwave radiometry, enables subsurface characterization penetrating clouds. Five surface categories of the epicenter area were defined contingent on position (oceanic/terrestrial) and ambient traits (soil hydration, vegetal covering). Continuous wavelet transform was applied to preprocess annualized MBT readings preceding and succeeding prototypical events of each grouping, utilizing optimized wavelet functions and orders tailored to individualized contexts. Wavelet maxima graphs visually portraying signal intensity variations facilitated the identification of aberrant phenomena, including pre-seismic accrual, co-seismic perturbation, and postseismic remission signatures. The casework found 10 GHz horizontal-polarized MBT optimally detected signals for aquatic and predominantly humid/vegetative settings, whereas 36 GHz horizontal-polarized performed best for arid, vegetated landmasses. Quantitative machine learning methods are warranted to statistically define selection standards and augment empirical forecasting leveraging lithospheric stress state inferences from sensitive MBT parametrization.

Rheological Structure and Lithospheric Stress Interaction in the Alaska Subduction Zone Gleaned From the 2018 Mw 7.9 Oceanic Crustal Earthquake

AbstractPostseismic deformation at convergent margins is controlled mainly by continuous slip on the fault (afterslip) and relaxation of the earthquake‐induced stress in the viscoelastic upper mantle (viscoelastic relaxation). Study of these deformation processes provides insight into the rheological properties of upper mantle and slip behavior of the fault. We have constructed a three‐dimensional finite element model to investigate the postseismic deformation of the 2018 Mw 7.9 Kodiak earthquake. We derived the first 2‐year postseismic Global Positioning System observations to constrain afterslip and upper mantle rheology in the south‐central Alaska. The upper mantle is separated into the mantle wedge and oceanic upper mantle topped by an 80‐km thick asthenosphere layer by the subducting slab. Results show that afterslip generally occurred in areas adjacent to the rupture zone and has a small magnitude of a few tens of millimeters. The viscosities of the asthenosphere and mantle wedge are determined to be in a range of 1–4 × 1018 and 0.5–5 × 1019 Pa s with an optimal value of 2 × 1018 and 2 × 1019 Pa s, respectively. Model results reveal a localized weak mantle wedge of ∼1018 Pa s beneath Lower Cook Inlet that may be due to the fluids dehydrated from the slab. Coulomb stress changes show that the earthquake enhanced coseismic and postseismic stress loading of up to 0.9 and 0.1 bar, respectively, on the shallow subduction interface near Kodiak Island, but there is no obvious triggered seismicity, probably due to the low stress status already released by the 1964 Mw 9.2 Alaska earthquake.

Petrogenesis and rare-metal mineralization of the Ririwai alkaline granitoids, north-central Nigeria: mineralogical and geochemical constraints

ABSTRACT The Ririwai anorogenic alkaline complex harbours extensive rare metal (Nb-Zr-Sn-Zn) mineralization. However, uncertainty still surrounds their origin and magmatic-hydrothermal processes responsible for their rare metal mineralization. The complex is composed of peralkaline arfvedsonite ± albite-bearing granites, mildly peralkaline fayalite-bearing granite porphyries, and weakly peraluminous biotite-bearing granites, all of which show diagnostic A1-type characteristics. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals emplacement ages between 181.4 ± 0.81 and 188.6 ± 7 Ma for the three rock units. Sm-Nd and Pb isotopes (εNd (t) = –0.6 to −5.4, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.68–17.93) constrained the Ririwai A-type granites to represent highly fractionated products of enriched mantle-derived magmas. Mass-balance modelling suggests that magma evolution was fuelled by extensive fractional crystallization of 50 ~ 60 vol.% K-feldspar, 30 ~ 35 vol% fayalite, 5 ~ 10 vol.% amphibole, and ~ 5 vol.% apatite under reduced and water-undersaturated (ΔFMQ = –1.55; logfo2 = –18.63; H2O = <2.0 wt.%) conditions and assimilation of ~ 50 vol.% crust. Whole rock and amphibole compositions revealed an increasing degree of fractionation from the fayalite-bearing granite porphyries through biotite-bearing granites to the arfvedsonite ± albite-bearing granites. This extended fractionation at the late stage of magma differentiation, facilitated by fluorine dissolution and concentration of excess HFSE and REE as alkali-fluorocomplexes in the fluorine-rich silicate melt, allowed the accumulation of economic rare metal pyrochlore and columbite mineralizations in the highly fractionated arfvedsonite± albite- and biotite-bearing granites, respectively. Nonetheless, the metasomatic reaction rim textures around the magmatic pyrochlore, coupled with the M-type lanthanide tetrad effect (TE1,3 >1.10) indicate the subsequent effect of hydrothermal processes. Tectonically, reactivated shear fractures and transcurrent faults following lithospheric stresses in a transtensional regime allowed magma uprising and emplacement of A-type granites in the Ririwai complex.

Numerical modeling of stresses and deformation in the Zagros–Iranian Plateau region

Abstract. The Zagros orogenic system resulted due to collision of the Arabian plate with the Eurasian plate. The region is characterized by ocean–continent subduction and continent–continent collision, and the convergence velocity shows variations from east to west. Therefore, this region shows the complex tectonic stress and a wide range of diffuse or localized deformation between both plates. The in situ stress and GPS data are very limited and sparsely distributed in this region; therefore, we performed a numerical simulation of the stresses causing deformation in the Zagros–Iran region. The deviatoric stresses resulting from the variations in lithospheric density and thickness and those from shear tractions at the base of the lithosphere due to mantle convection were computed using thin-sheet approximation. Stresses associated with both sources can explain various surface observations of strain rates, SHmax, and plate velocities, thus suggesting a good coupling between lithosphere and mantle in most parts of Zagros and Iran. As the magnitude of stresses due to shear tractions from density-driven mantle convection is higher than those from lithospheric density and topography variations in the Zagros–Iranian Plateau region, mantle convection appears to be the dominant driver of deformation in this area. However, the deformation in the east of Iran is caused primarily by lithospheric stresses. The plate velocity of the Arabian plate is found to vary along the Zagros belt from the north–northeast in the southeast of Zagros to the northwest in northwestern Zagros, similarly to observed GPS velocity vectors. The output of this study can be used in seismic hazards estimations.

Post-seismic deformation of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake reveals a misaligned rheological boundary in the lower crust along the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin

SUMMARY Along the margins of orogenic plateaus, the viscous Earth structure and fault geometries play a primary role in controlling the tectonic evolution and earthquake generation. After the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the long-standing debate regarding the tectonics producing and maintaining prominent topography across the Longmen Shan reignited. Post-seismic deformation, representing the surface strain history in response to lithospheric stress perturbations, provides important insights into the lithospheric rheology and active structures. Here, we construct a new 3-D post-seismic deformation model for the Wenchuan earthquake, invoking viscoelastic relaxation and afterslip. Our best-fitting model indicates that the steady-state viscosities of the lower crust in the region to the immediately west of the Songpan-Ganzi terrane and beneath the Songpan-Ganzi terrane are estimated to be 4.0 × 1018 and 1.0 × 1018 Pa s, respectively. Our results, combining geophysical and geodetic observations and model analyses, highlight the prevalent parallelism between the rheological and structural boundaries of the lower crust, which diverge northward away from the trend of the Longmen Shan fault at ∼20°. This diverging rheological structure and the partially coupled upper and lower crust have broad implications for the stress build-up, strain partitioning and deformation styles along the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin.

Extension Dynamics of the Northern Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center and the Southern Mangatolu Triple Junction in the Lau Basin at 16°S

AbstractDue to the complexity of 2D magnetic anomaly maps north of 18°S and the sparsity of seismic data, the tectonic evolution of the northern Lau Basin has not yet been unraveled. We use a multi‐method approach to reconstruct the formation of the basin at ∼16°S by compiling seismic, magnetic, gravimetric and geochemical data along a 185 km‐long crustal transect. We identified a crustal zonation which preserves the level of subduction input at the time of the crust's formation. Paired with the seafloor magnetization, the crustal zonation enabled us to qualitatively approximate the dynamic spreading history of the region. Further assessment of the recent tectonic activity and the degree of tectonic overprinting visible in the crust both suggest a complex tectonic history including a dynamically moving spreading center and the reorganizing of the local magma supply. Comparing the compiled data sets has revealed substantial differences in the opening mechanisms of the two arms of the Overlapping Spreading Center (OSC) that is made up by the northernmost tip of the Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center in the east and the southernmost segment of the Mangatolu Triple Junction in the west. The observed transition from a predominantly tectonic opening mechanism at the eastern OSC arm to a magmatic opening mechanism at the western OSC arm coincides with an equally sharp transition from and strongly subduction influenced crust to a crust with virtually no subduction input. The degree of subduction input alters the geochemical composition, as well as the lithospheric stress response.

Lithospheric Stress Due to Mantle Convection and Mantle Plume over East Africa from GOCE and Seismic Data

The Afar and Ethiopian plateaus are in a dynamic uplift due to the mantle plume, therefore, considering the plume effect is necessary for any geophysical investigation including the estimation of lithospheric stress in this area. The Earth gravity models of the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) and lithospheric structure models can be applied to estimate the stress tensor inside the Ethiopian lithosphere. To do so, the boundary-value problem of elasticity is solved to derive a general solution for the displacement field in a thin elastic spherical shell representing the lithosphere. After that, general solutions for the elements of the strain tensor are derived from the displacement field, and finally the stress tensor from the strain tensor. The horizontal shear stresses due to mantle convection and the vertical stress due to the mantle plume are taken as the lower boundary value at the base of the lithosphere, and no stress at the upper boundary value of the lithospheric shell. The stress tensor and maximum stress directions are computed at the Moho boundary in three scenarios: considering horizontal shear stresses due to mantle convection, vertical stresses due to mantle plume, and their combination. The estimated maximum horizontal shear stresses’ locations are consistent with tectonics and seismic activities in the study area. In addition, the maximum shear stress directions are highly correlated with the World Stress Map 2016, especially when the effect of the mantle plume is solely considered, indicating the stress in the study area mainly comes from the plume.

Global back-arc extension due to trench-parallel mid-ocean ridge subduction

Subduction of young seafloors straddling mid-ocean ridges (MOR) is an inevitable consequence of plate tectonics. Surprisingly, this process correlates globally with prolonged back-arc extension when the MOR is largely trench-parallel. We investigate the underlying mechanism by analyzing the East China Sea Basin (ECSB) whose Cenozoic tectonic history consists of three syn-rift stages with the rift center progressively migrating oceanward. Global geodynamic models satisfying the past subduction history and present-day mantle structures successfully reproduce the lithospheric stress states of the evolving ECSB. We show that segmented removal of the Mesozoic Izanagi slab due to subduction of the young seafloor initiated Paleocene rifting within the western ECSB. Detachment of the former slab facilitated a strong landward mantle wind driven by the large pressure gradient across the slab. The resulting mantle traction pushed the thickened upper plate landward while entraining the young seafloors behind to slowly subduct, a process causing long-lasting Eocene extension of the central ECSB. The waning mantle wind after 30 Ma reduced basal traction and upper plate extension. A final phase of ECSB extension since the late Miocene formed the Okinawa Trough, when the subducting plate became old enough to trigger slab retreat. A similar dynamic scenario is also predicted in other circum-Pacific margins. We conclude that this enduring back-arc extension during MOR subduction represents an important mechanism for continental evolution during the closure of major ocean basins.

Lithospheric strength and stress revisited: Pruning the Christmas tree

Whether lithospheric stress can reach the maximum level predicted by the Christmas-tree strength envelope is a fundamental question but with controversial answers. There is little controversy that a deforming lithosphere in high heat flow regions is likely critically stressed, i.e., at full yield at all depths, as described by the envelope. But different conceptual frameworks offer opposite views for very cold lithosphere, either at full yield or far below yield. Here, we use simple numerical models to investigate stresses in end-member cold cratonic lithosphere (e.g., Canadian Craton) in comparison with end-member warm plate-boundary lithosphere (e.g., Canadian Cordillera). The two key elements of our modelling are (1) that lithospheric stress builds up elastically with horizontal tectonic loading not only in the elastic–frictional brittle regime but also in the viscoelastic ductile regime, and (2) that the stress level is limited by the available tectonic force. In a cratonic lithosphere, the limiting tectonic force is sustained by competent rock material over a large depth range, represented by the competent thickness Tc that exceeds 90 km. The lithosphere undergoes mostly elastic deformation at a stress level of a few tens of MPa. While weakly stressed strong lithosphere can still produce limited earthquakes at shallow depths due to structural and stress heterogeneity, the lithospheric stress under horizontal tectonic loading is theoretically predicted to be orders of magnitude lower than predicted by the Christmas-tree envelope. Stresses in a real lithosphere may substantially deviate from this theoretical level because of spatiotemporal variations in rheology and structure. For example, the stress memory of past loading history in cold lithosphere may or may not be erased by more recent tectonic stresses. Because much of previous scientific debates on lithospheric stress levels and comparison with seismicity were focused on topographically induced flexural stress, we also investigate the effect of vertical loading. We show that the effective elastic thickness Te derived from the flexural response is a reasonable proxy for Tc derived from horizontal tectonic loading; a very large Te such as > 80 km is generally associated with very low tectonic stress far below yield. However, the flexure-induced bending stress is not directly comparable with seismicity because it may either enhance or suppress seismogenic stress in the crust.

Temporal variations in the diversity of primitive melts supplied to the Santorini silicic magmatic system and links to lithospheric stresses

Temporal variations in the diversity of primitive melts supplied to the Santorini silicic magmatic system and links to lithospheric stresses

Ceres’ Broad‐Scale Surface Geomorphology Largely Due To Asymmetric Internal Convection

AbstractWhile we now know much about the volatile‐rich world of Ceres from the Dawn mission, the deep interior remains something of an enigma, shrouded by a crust composed of water ice, carbonates, phyllosilicates, salts and clathrate hydrates. While smaller than most active moons or planets, Ceres has many features commonly associated with active, icy bodies including: hydrothermal, cryovolcanic, and tectonic features. Yet on active icy moons tidal heating is a significant component of the thermal budget; it is unclear whether radiogenic heating alone would be sufficient to supply the heat necessary for Ceres' interior to undergo solid‐state convection. Here we show that transient asymmetric convection develops as the temperature within the body rises from heat generated by the decay of long‐lived radionuclides (e.g., U, Th, K). The onset of transient asymmetric convection may reconcile a number of puzzling features on Ceres including: the missing large craters, Hanami Planum—the region of thickened crust, the gravity and crustal thickness, and the lithospheric stress state represented by the Samhain Catenae. Hemispheric‐scale instabilities may also be important in the evolution of small bodies with small cores throughout the solar system, including the small icy moons of Saturn and Uranus as well as Kuiper belt objects.

Geochemistry of Late Permian basalts from boreholes in the Sichuan Basin, SW China: Implications for an extension of the Emeishan large igneous province

The emplacement of the Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in the Upper Yangtze craton, SW China, is considered to be a crucial factor that triggered the end-Guadalupian biodiversity crisis. However, the contribution of ELIP remains debated because of its relatively modest known size. The restricted assessment of its areal extent is, in part, due to the lack of study of the potential volcanic rocks concealed beneath younger strata. Here we present the first geochemical and isotopic variations and detailed spatial distribution of Late Permian basaltic rocks penetrated by deep exploratory boreholes in the Sichuan Basin. The Late Permian basaltic rocks are mainly distributed in the western and northeastern parts of the Sichuan Basin and are positioned at the same stratigraphic level as the Emeishan flood basalts. Petrography, whole-rock trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions demonstrate that these rocks are alkaline basalts and have oceanic island basalt - like characteristics, indicating a similar origin as the Emeishan flood basalts. The trace element and isotope ratios suggest that the basaltic magmas in the western Sichuan Basin were derived by low degrees of partial melting of a garnet-bearing source. In contrast, the basalts in the northeastern part of the basin were generated by higher degrees of melting of a shallower mantle source in the spinel-garnet transition zone. Varying amounts of contamination by lower continental crustal melts are suggested by rough correlations between isotope and immobile trace element ratios. The spatial changes in composition and origin of the basaltic rocks in the Sichuan Basin can be interpreted as the result of varying extents of Emeishan mantle plume-lithosphere interaction under different lithospheric stress backgrounds, such that the reactivation of pre-existing basement faults controlled the emplacement of basaltic magma in the periphery of the ELIP. Our work reveals a substantially broader extent of the ELIP in buried sedimentary strata, which might have contributed to the abrupt end-Guadalupian climatic change.

Volcanic Structures and Magmatic Evolution of the Vesteris Seamount, Greenland Basin

The formation of isolated seamounts distant from active plate boundaries and mantle plumes remains unsolved. The solitary intraplate volcano Vesteris Seamount is located in the Central Greenland Basin and rises ∼3,000 m above the seafloor with a total eruptive volume of ∼800 km3. Here, we present a new high-resolution bathymetry of Vesteris Seamount and a detailed raster terrain analysis, distinguishing cones, irregular volcanic ridges, volcanic debris fans, U-shaped channels and lava flows. The slope angles, ruggedness index and slope direction were combined with backscatter images to aid geologic interpretation. The new data show that the entire structure is a northeast to southwest elongated stellar-shaped seamount with an elongated, narrow summit surrounded by irregular volcanic ridges, separated by volcanic debris fans. Whole-rock geochemical data of 78 lava samples form tight liquid lines of descent with MgO concentrations ranging from 12.6 to 0.1 wt%, implying that all lavas evolved from a similar parental magma composition. Video footage from Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dives shows abundant pyroclastic and hyaloclastite deposits on the summit and on the upper flanks, whereas lavas are restricted to flank cones. The seamount likely formed above a weak zone of the lithosphere possibly related to initial rifting parallel to the nearby Mohns Ridge, but the local stress field increasingly affected the structure of the volcano as it grew larger. Thus, we conclude that the evolution of Vesteris Seamount reflects the transition from deep, regional lithospheric stresses in the older structures to shallower, local stresses within the younger volcanic structures similar to other oceanic intraplate volcanoes. Our study shows how the combination of bathymetric, visual and geochemical data can be used to decipher the geological evolution of oceanic intraplate volcanoes.

A new generation Griggs apparatus with active acoustic monitoring

High pressure and temperature experiments are necessary to understand geological processes at deep earth conditions. Here, we present a new generation Griggs-type apparatus, designed to perform deformation experiments at P-T conditions of the lower crust and upper mantle, i.e. up to 5 GPa and 1000 °C. We first detail the experimental design, set-up and procedure, as well as the calibration protocol of the apparatus. The main innovation of this new set-up is the development of an active acoustic monitoring pulse-transmission technique, which enables us to monitor the evolution of P-wave elastic velocities, at 5 MHz, contemporaneously with deformation. This may provide information on the evolution of the microstructure, in particular when mineralogical (metamorphic) reactions are taking place. For instance, P-wave velocity variations across the α → β quartz transition are recorded for the first time within a Griggs apparatus, at 0.5 and 0.8 GPa. This new set-up opens up important perspectives for the study of the complex couplings that may take place between mineral reactions and deformation under in lithospheric stress and temperature conditions.

The Evolution of Central Volcanoes in Ultraslow Rift Systems: Constraints From D. João de Castro Seamount, Azores

AbstractThe Dom João de Castro seamount in the Hirondelle Basin (Azores) is a central volcano on the ultraslow diverging Terceira Rift axis. The combination of structural and geochemical data provides insights into the evolution of central volcanoes in oceanic rift systems above the Azores melting anomaly. The orientation of fault scarps and volcanic structures at D. João de Castro and the adjacent Castro fissure zone indicate that the regional SW‐NE extending stress field dominates the morphology of the NW Hirondelle Basin. The regional tectonic stress field controls the crustal melt pathways and leads to dike emplacement along fissure zones and the prevalent eruption of mafic lavas. The occurrence of mafic to felsic lavas at D. João de Castro gives evidence for both a deep and a shallow crustal melt reservoir generating a subordinate local stress field at the seamount. New Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotope data along with incompatible trace element ratios indicate that D. João de Castro and the Castro Ridges originated from similarly heterogeneous mantle source but did not form simultaneously. Our new model implies that central volcanoes along the Terceira Rift form by the growth of volcanic ridges and transitioned into circular edifices after magmatic systems generate local changes in the regional lithospheric stress field. The geometry of D. João de Castro and other magmatic systems along the Terceira Rift combined with the alkaline nature of the erupted lavas, and the large lithosphere thickness indicates that young oceanic rifts are more similar to continental rifts rather than mid‐ocean ridges.

A globally fragmented and mobile lithosphere on Venus

Venus has been thought to possess a globally continuous lithosphere, in contrast to the mosaic of mobile tectonic plates that characterizes Earth. However, the Venus surface has been extensively deformed, and convection of the underlying mantle, possibly acting in concert with a low-strength lower crust, has been suggested as a source of some surface horizontal strains. The extent of surface mobility on Venus driven by mantle convection, however, and the style and scale of its tectonic expression have been unclear. We report a globally distributed set of crustal blocks in the Venus lowlands that show evidence for having rotated and/or moved laterally relative to one another, akin to jostling pack ice. At least some of this deformation on Venus postdates the emplacement of the locally youngest plains materials. Lithospheric stresses calculated from interior viscous flow models consistent with long-wavelength gravity and topography are sufficient to drive brittle failure in the upper Venus crust in all areas where these blocks are present, confirming that interior convective motion can provide a mechanism for driving deformation at the surface. The limited but widespread lithospheric mobility of Venus, in marked contrast to the tectonic styles indicative of a static lithosphere on Mercury, the Moon, and Mars, may offer parallels to interior-surface coupling on the early Earth, when global heat flux was substantially higher, and the lithosphere generally thinner, than today.