The effect of energy feedbacks on continental strength

Klaus Regenauer-Lieb (), Roberto F. Weinberg and Gideon Rosenbaum
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Klaus Regenauer-Lieb: Institut für Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg Universität
Roberto F. Weinberg: School of Geosciences, Monash University
Gideon Rosenbaum: School of Physical Sciences, The University of Queensland

Nature, 2006, vol. 442, issue 7098, 67-70

Abstract: The strong shall be weak The strength of the Earth's crust controls the evolution of continents, from mountain formation to the distribution of earthquakes. How strong are the continents? Numerical calculations have been used to resolve the energy, momentum and continuum equations that determine continental deformation and strength. The continents turn out to be weaker than expected due to energy feedback processes. This explains various enigmatic observations related to continental behaviour, from the lack of seismicity in the mantle below continents, to the development of major weaknesses just where continents should be strongest.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04868

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