FINITE DEFORMATION DURING FLUID-FLOW

Summary. Typical upper mantle circulations obtained by solving Stokes' equation produce finite deformations which differ in important ways from those produced by pure or simple shear. Finite strain, defined by the ratio of the long to the short axis of the deformation ellipse, in most cases shows a steady increase with superimposed oscillations. Similarity solutions for the flow near plate boundaries demonstrate that the observed seismic anisotropy in the oceanic lithosphere can be produced by the finite deformation beneath the ridge axes. The same mechanism should give rise to strong anisotropy in the mantle above sinking slabs. Such anisotropy has not yet been detected, perhaps because the observed high velocities have been attributed to thermal effects. Convection in the mantle remote from plate boundaries produces complicated deformation which varies rapidly with position and will therefore be difficult to map seismically. The fabrics of nodules in lavas and kimberlites suggest that large strains can occur in the mantle under stresses which are too small to produce dislocation movement. The large and complicated finite deformation produced by the convective circulation in the mantle also affects closed geochemical systems, and leads to thorough mixing of any convecting region. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved