Figure 1

Problem setting: Schematic representation of the interrelationship between surface processes and lithospheric strain in an extensional setting (not to scale, modified after ref. ⁴). Sediments derived from erosion of rift shoulders load the rift basins. The rigid upper crust and lithospheric mantle lithosphere flex and weaken, while more ductile lower-crustal material flows from the centre of the rift outward, facilitating uplift and erosion of the rift shoulders. The associated effects on extensional rock melting are to date poorly constrained. The figure was generated with Adobe Illustrator version 24.0.1.