Rheology of continental lithosphere and seismic anisotropy

Abstract

Rheology of rocks controls the deformation of the Earth at various space-time scales, which is crucial to understand the tectonic evolution of continental lithosphere. Researches of rock rheology are mainly conducted via high-pressure and high-temperature rheological experiments and multi-scale observations and measurements of naturally deformed rocks. At present, a large amount of data from such kinds of studies have been accumulated. This paper first provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of the rheological mechanisms, fabric types and seismic properties of the main rock-forming minerals at different depths of continental lithosphere, including olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase, quartz and mica. Then, progress in high-pressure and high-temperature experiments and natural deformation observations is introduced, mainly regarding the rheological strength and behavior, seismic velocity and anisotropy of lithospheric mantle peridotite, eclogite, mafic granulite, amphibolite and felsic rocks. Finally, by taking the Tibetan Plateau as an example, the application of rock rheology for quantitative interpretation of seismic anisotropy data is discussed. The combination of mineral deformation fabrics and seismic anisotropy is expected to make an important breakthrough in understanding the rheological properties and structure of continental lithosphere.