On the origin of deviatoric stresses in the lithosphere

cited By 43International audienceMantle circulation models capable of predicting satisfactory plate velocities and geoid are tested for their ability to generate adequate lithospheric stresses. The model Earth mantle is driven by mass heterogeneities defined by seismic tomography and slab distribution. Its surface is divided into 11 freely moving plates. The mantle circulation produces shear stresses at the base of each plate. These are used to compute a dynamical component of the litherospheric stresses which is added to another component induced by variations of the Moho depth inside the lithosphere itself. The long-wavelength stress pattern proposed by the models cannot easily be compared with available data. -from Author