Numerical modeling of lithospheric extension: doming under different thermal conditions

Schenker, Filippo and Gerya, Taras and Kaus, Boris and Burg, Jean-Pierre (2010) Numerical modeling of lithospheric extension: doming under different thermal conditions. In: Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 12, EGU2010-5261, 2010 EGU General Assembly 2010, Vienna, Austria.

[img] Text
EGU2010-5261.pdf

Download (37kB)

Abstract

Structural aspects of extensional doming have been modelled numerically using simplified 2D visco-plastic models (e.g. Huismans et al. 2005, Buiter et al. 2008) concentrating mainly on symmetric/asymmetric doming, fault tectonics and deformation of domes and surrounding rocks. Recent works focus their attention to the influence of geotherms on the rheology (Tirel et al. 2008), even taking into account melting (Rey et al., 2009). However, thermal aspects remain difficult to compute because of the coupled interaction between mechanical forces and temperature. This coupling is fundamental, because it provides a link between modelling and thermochronometry. Indeed, cooling ages of extensional dome flanks can constrain time, size, and patterns of metamorphic overprints simulated in thermo-mechanical models. We treat mechanical and thermal aspects together (including modelling of metamorphic P-T-time paths of crustal rocks), using a visco-elasto-plastic rheology in a four layer setup (upper crust, lower crust, lithospheric mantle and asthenospheric mantle). The asthenospheric mantle is considered in order to predict the bending effect of the lithosphere. We employed I2ELVIS, a numerical 2D computer code designed for conservative finite differences method. The model domain is 300 km wide and 160 km deep. We observed two modes of dome development and geometry, depending on first order parameters such as temperature at the Moho and thickness of the crust: (i) Lower crustal doming: with a hot Moho (TMOHO > 700 °C) and/or a thick crust, strain is localized in the upper crust and distributed in the mantle. At these conditions partial melting in the lower crust forms the core of the dome and maintains a flat Moho. (ii) Asthenospheric-triggered doming: with a cold Moho (TMOHO < 700 °C), strain is distributed in the crust and localized in the lithospheric mantle, which allows upwelling of the asthenosphere. The migmatite "core complexes" develop after the upwelling of the asthenosphere. Low geotherms have the tendency to produce asymmetric domes. Changes in second order parameters such as extension rate and elastic rebound influence the size and the timing of doming. Furthermore, using strain softening, we are able to produce an asymmetric doming without prescribing any kind of weak zone. In fact, the elastic rebound of the lithosphere is crucial in enhancing the dome asymmetry. Our new thermomechanical model can in particular explain existence of crustal extension regions characterised by flat Moho topography.

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item