Lithospheric Structure and Dynamics
Summary
The lithosphere forms Earth’s rigid outer shell, encompassing the crust and the uppermost mantle. Its thickness, composition and thermal state vary from thin oceanic plates to thick continental roots known as cratons. At its base lies the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB), across which seismic velocities and rheological properties change markedly. Within this rigid layer, mid-lithospheric discontinuities (MLDs) are often detected, signalling variations in composition, hydration or mechanical strength. Lithospheric dynamics are governed by the interplay of mantle convection, plate motions, plume impingement and buoyancy forces. These processes sculpt surface topography, drive seismic and volcanic activity, and control the long-term evolution of continents. Recent advances in geophysical imaging and numerical modelling have revealed how mantle flow interacts with thick lithospheric keel structures to generate stress regimes that stabilise ancient cratons, and how variations in lithospheric thickness influence magmatic pathways and surface expressions of mantle upwellings. Understanding these structural and dynamic aspects is essential for assessments of geohazards, resource localisation and models of continental growth and stability over geological time.
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Lithospheric Structure and Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in lithospheric structure and dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Lithosphere: Rigid, outermost layer of the Earth comprising the crust and uppermost mantle.
Asthenosphere: Ductile, convecting layer beneath the lithosphere, defined by low seismic velocities and high attenuation.
Craton: Ancient, mechanically strong continental lithosphere with thick, buoyant mantle roots.
Lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB): Seismic discontinuity and rheological transition marking the base of the rigid lithosphere.
Mid-lithospheric discontinuity (MLD): A subsurface reflectivity horizon within the lithospheric mantle often linked to compositional or hydration changes.
References
- Convective Self‐Compression of Cratons and the Stabilization of Old Lithosphere. Geophysical Research Letters (2023).
- A New Shear‐Velocity Model of Continental Australia Based on Multi‐Scale Surface‐Wave Tomography. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth (2023).
- Continental Mid‐Lithosphere Discontinuity: A Water Collector During Craton Evolution. Geophysical Research Letters (2022).
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