A Physical Model for the Creation of the Lithosphere

Abstract

The physical model for the creation of the lithospheric plates described by Parker & Oldenburg is considered in detail and the method by which a solution was obtained is given in full. The effects of reducing the percentage of partial melt, adding radioactive material and allowing temperature gradients in the asthenosphere are considered. The model is sufficiently flexible to allow for the creation of a variety of lithospheric plates which predict elevations (except near the ridge crest), heat flow, and gravity in acceptable agreement with observations. The important prediction by the physical model that the lithosphere continually thickens with the square root of distance from the ridge has been verified in the laboratory by using the wax model of Oldenburg & Brune. Copyright © 1975, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved