Open AccessThe thermal field in a basin after a sudden passive pure shear lithospheric extension and sublithospheric mechanical erosion:the case of the Tuscan Basin (Italy)
Author(s) -
Mongelli F.,
Zito G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-246x.2000.00142.x
Subject(s) - lithosphere , geology , crust , thermal , geophysics , shear (geology) , field (mathematics) , structural basin , seismology , erosion , geomorphology , petrology , tectonics , meteorology , physics , mathematics , pure mathematics
A simple new model for sudden lithospheric thinning that considers the crust to be stretched and the lower layer of the lithosphere to be partially stretched and partially mechanically eroded is proposed. This model allows calculation of the thermal field of the lithosphere during the initial warming phase and the surface uplift. Application of this model to the Tuscan Basin explains the high regional heat flux density values (>100 mW m −2 ), the tectonic subsidence (about 1 km) and the average uplift (>400 m) observed in this region well.