Constraints on yield strength in the oceanic lithosphere derived from observations of flexure

Abstract

Summary. The wavelength and amplitude of outer rises seaward of sub-duction zones and arches surrounding islands and seamounts are used to parameterize flexure profiles in terms of the moment and curvature at the first zero crossing. The data show the clear age dependence in the mechanical thickness of the lithosphere up to 60–100Myr. Saturation of moment at large curvature is interpreted in terms of a depth-dependent yield strength for the lithosphere using relations adopted from laboratory experiments of rock deformation. A comparison of theoretical curves with observed moments indicates that old oceanic lithosphere has no long-term strength below about 40 km depth, with no difference between 100 and 165 Myr old crust. Moderate axial loading forces (±200 MPa) can explain most variations in the moment/curvature observations, except in the case of the Kuril Trench which appears anomalous given the age of the crust. Regional tension causes greater variability in moment as compared to regional compression because of the greater slope in the brittle failure envelope under tension. The observations point to a lithosphere weaker than the prediction from experimental deformation of rocks. Of the possible weakening mechanisms, elevated pore-fluid pressure on faults does not predict the correct age dependence and is incompatible with earthquake focal mechanisms. Our favoured explanation is that the activation energy, Q, appropriate for ductile flow at geological strain rates is lower than the values derived from laboratory extrapolations of dry olivine data taken at high temperatures. If recent oceanic geotherms are reliable, Q in the lower lithosphere must be lower than 100kcal mol−1. The method used here is most appropriate for trench profiles with curvatures greater than 10−7m−1. For lower curvatures, such as along seamount profiles, small errors in the curvature estimate cause large changes in rheological parameters.