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Rupture, creep, lamellae and crocodiles: happenings in the continental crust
Author(s) -
Meissner R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.1989.tb00321.x
Subject(s) - geology , crust , continental crust , creep , seismology , tectonics , induced seismicity , upper crust , geophysics , paleontology , materials science , composite material
From the observation of certain seismic reflectivity patterns in Phanerozoic continental crusts a relationship is suggested between: (1) rupture and seismicity, generally restricted to the upper crust; (2) crocodile tectonics, a kind of vertical indentation, observed by diverging plane reflectors, preferably in the middle crust; (3) creep and the formation of reflecting lamellae in the lower crust. Based on these observations and on viscosity depth estimates a conceptual model for the above‐mentioned structures is presented, which is also compatible with observations in older crusts. Boundary conditions are given for rupture as well as for lamellae‐forming creep.