Physics
Scientific paper
May 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004agusm.p32a..05l&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2004, abstract #P32A-05
Physics
5418 Heat Flow, 5430 Interiors (8147), 5475 Tectonics (8149), 5480 Volcanism (8450)
Scientific paper
Although Mars is currently not tectonically active, it may have experienced plate tectonics early in its history. The southern hemisphere of Mars possesses a thick crust which probably renders the lithosphere positively buoyant. We present numerical and scaling arguments which show that if the area of positively buoyant lithosphere grows beyond a critical fraction, plate tectonics will stop. Heat transfer through the buoyant lithosphere is inefficient which causes mean mantle temperatures to increase as the surface area of buoyant lithosphere increases. The resulting reduction in mantle viscosity reduces shear stresses; if these shear stresses drop below the yield strength of the lithosphere, plate motions will ceases and the planet will behave as a one-plate system. Thus, the end of plate tectonics on Mars may be a natural consequence of the growth of the southern highlands. The implications of this model for volcanism will also be explored.
Collier Mark
Lenardic Adrian
Moresi Louis
Nimmo Francis
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