Geodinâmica do Manto em Bordas de Margens Divergentes

In this work we study the mantle dynamics in continental margins by using numerical models capable of simulating the conductive and convective processes present in the mantle. Initially, we performed simulations in order to obtain an initial thermal structure where the thickness of the continental lithosphere is stabilized. In these simulations, we evaluate the influence of some parameters such as the initial viscosity, the activation energy and the activation volume, choosing the best scenarios to represent the real continental lithosphere. Using the obtained thermal structure we performed new simulations to study the thermal subsidence of divergent margins taking into account the convective processes in the asthenosphere. Finally, we discuss about the convective effects present in the asthenospheric mantle comparing them with purely conductive models.