Rheology of Transform Plate Boundaries

对转换板块边界力学性质的研究主要集中在板块的地壳(孕震)成分上。尽管岩石圈地幔在板块边界变形中的作用受到的关注较少，但它代表着板块边界潜在的最强部分，因此也是控制整体变形的区域。以前的研究也受到了应用流变学定律的影响，这可能不适合于板边界的高应变率和变形。像圣安德烈亚斯这样的边界的进化本质通常也不包括在内。该项目将把目前对地幔流变规律的最佳估计应用于转换板块边界的发展，并评价该地区的三维应力、应变和矿物学(粒度、变形机制)演化。

Investigations of the mechanical properties of transform plate boundaries have dominantly focused on the crustal (seismogenic) component of the plate. Although the lithospheric mantle's role in plate boundary deformation has received much less attention, it represents the potentially strongest part of a plate boundary, and thus the region which will control the overall deformation. Previous studies have also suffered from the application of rheologic laws which may not be appropriate for the high strain rates and deformation at plate boundaries. The evolutionary nature of boundaries like the San Andreas has also normally not been included. This project will apply current best estimates of mantle rheologic laws to the development of transform plate boundaries and evaluate the 3-D stress, strain, and mineralogic (grain size, deformation mechanism) evolution of the region.