Tidal drag and westward drift of the lithosphere
Tidal drag and westward drift of the lithosphere
复制标题
潮汐阻力与岩石圈西移
DOI:
10.1016/j.gsf.2023.101623
复制
发表时间:
2023
影响因子:
8.9
通讯作者:
Doglioni, Carlo
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
Nesi, Vincenzo;Bruno, Oscar;Zaccagnino, Davide;Mascia, Corrado;Doglioni, Carlo
Tidal forces are generally neglected in the discussion about the mechanisms driving plate tectonics despite a worldwide geodynamic asymmetry also observed at subduction and rift zones. The tidal drag could theoretically explain the westerly shift of the lithosphere relative to the underlying mantle. Notwithstanding, viscosity in the asthenosphere is apparently too high to allow mechanical decoupling produced by tidal forces. Here, we propose a model for global scale geodynamics accompanied by numerical simulations of the tidal interaction of the Earth with the Moon and the Sun. We provide for the first time a theoretical proof that the tidal drag can produce a westerly motion of the lithosphere, also compatible with the slowing of the Earth’s rotational spin. Our results suggest a westerly rotation of the lithosphere with a lower bound of ω≈(0.1-0.2)°/Myr in the presence of a basal effective shear viscosity η≈ 10 16 Pa· s, but it may rise to ω> 1°/Myr with a viscosity of η≲ 3× 10 14 Pa· s within the Low-Velocity Zone (LVZ) atop the asthenosphere. This faster velocity would be more compatible with the mainstream of plate motion and the global asymmetry at plate boundaries. Based on these computations, we suggest that the super-adiabatic asthenosphere, being vigorously convecting, may further reduce the viscous coupling within the LVZ. Therefore, the combination of solid Earth tides, ultra-low viscosity LVZ and asthenospheric polarized small-scale convection may mechanically satisfy the large-scale decoupling of the lithosphere relative to the underlying mantle. Relative plate motions are explained because of lateral viscosity heterogeneities at the base of the lithosphere, which determine variable lithosphere-asthenosphere decoupling and plate interactions, hence plate tectonics.
登录
查看更多内容
DOI:
--
发表时间:
1990
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
C. Doglioni
通讯作者:
C. Doglioni
DOI:
--
发表时间:
2012
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
C. Vérard;C. Hochard;G. Stampfli
通讯作者:
G. Stampfli
影响因子:
2.9
作者:
H. Thybo
通讯作者:
H. Thybo
DOI:
--
发表时间:
2002
期刊:
影响因子:
--
作者:
D. L. Anderson
通讯作者:
D. L. Anderson
影响因子:
2
作者:
P. Varga;E. Grafarend
通讯作者:
E. Grafarend