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Cited by 95Geological and Geophysical StudiesHigh-pressure geophysics and materialsearthquake and tectonic studies

Sea floor spreading, continental drift and lithosphere sinking with an asthenosphere at melting point

Lliboutry, L.·1969·Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI 10.1029/jb074i027p06525
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Abstract

The asthenosphere is assumed to be entirely at melting point temperature. This state can be steady owing to an upward migration of liquid dykes of magma through it. The vertical extension of these dykes must reach about 100 meters in order that the suggested process may become effective. The two models of ‘global tectonics’ suggested by Isacks et al. are criticized, and a new model is put forward. Lithospheric plates are pushed upslope by the ridges, where a deep crack filled with compressed magma persists in spite of a continuous symmetrical solidification on the walls. Underneath a counterflow involves the lower asthenosphere. The unconformity of the geoid undulations with the existing convection cells are explained by a time lag in the adjustment of this counterflow. Using the relative movements of the lithospheric plates given by Le Pichon, and using some simple mechanical requisites, the absolute velocities are calculated, as well as the velocities and shear stresses in the asthenosphere. For instance Africa and the Indian Ocean are drifting swiftly eastward, while South America drifts westward at only 0.4 cm/yr. It is shown that the counterflow of the asthenosphere must exactly balance the discharge of the lithosphere over it, as in a classical convection cell. The concept of ‘orogenic efficiency’ of such a cell is introduced and estimated. A new model of the sinks of lithosphere is put forward that assumes the existence of vertical faults within the sinking plate. The distance between the oceanic trenches and the first foci under the island arcs is submitted to calculation.

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Crossref · 10.1029/jb074i027p06525

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  • The only candidates to balance the compression are traction on the base of the plate and the buoyancy force from variation in plate thickness produced by vulcanism.

    “The only candidates appear to be traction on the base of the plate (McKenzie 1969) and the buoyancy force resulting from the variation in plate thickness produced by vulcanism (Lliboutry 1969).”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Lliboutry 1969

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Authors
Lliboutry, L.
Corresponding author
Lliboutry, L.
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Published
1969-12-15
Volume
74
Issue
27
Pages
6525-6540
ISSN
0148-0227 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1029/jb074i027p06525
OpenAlex
W2061631604
Cited by
95
References
40
Citations by year
2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
9.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 16696 d)
Locations
Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geology › Geological and Geophysical Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › High-pressure geophysics and materials
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › earthquake and tectonic studies
Keywords
seafloor spreading, continental drift, asthenosphere, global tectonics, plate tectonics, mantle convection cells, geoid undulation, plate velocity, shear stress, oceanic trenches, vertical faults

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