Modeling of Critical Thermal-Mechanical Behavior in Lithospheric and Mantle Dynamics

岩石圈-地幔系统的热-机械稳定性最终取决于构造力的非线性相互作用和由非线性温度和应变率相关的流变学引起的响应。在这个为期两年的项目中，P.I.计划研究海洋和大陆岩石圈的蠕变不稳定性，这些岩石圈具有弹粘塑性或粘弹性流变学，具有真实的蠕变参数。他亦会研究维持地砖完整性的关键因素。所有这些问题都具有丰富的非线性，并有望得到令人惊讶的但基本的结果，这将有助于阐明与地质系统有关的参数范围内的岩石圈和地幔动力学的临界特征。

9814791Yuen The thermal-mechanical stability of the lithosphere-mantle system ultimately depends on the nonlinear interaction of the tectonic forces and the responses elicited from the nonlinear temperature-and strain-rate dependent rheology. In this two-year project the P. I. plans to study creep instabilities in both the oceanic and continental lithospheres, which have either an elasto-visco plastic or a viscoelastic rheology with realistic creep parameters. He will also study critical factors that maintain the integrity of slabs. All of these problems are rich in non-linearity and promise surprising but fundamental results, which should help to elucidate the critical character of lithospheric and mantle dynamics in the parameter range relevant to geological systems.