Continental dynamics of the North American plate

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dc.contributor.advisorBecker, Thorsten W.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberGrand, Stephen
dc.contributor.committeeMemberLavier, Luc
dc.contributor.committeeMemberHesse, Marc
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBehr, Whitney
dc.creatorWang, Wanying, Ph. D.
dc.creator.orcid0000-0001-6119-1697
dc.date.accessioned2022-08-14T18:28:09Z
dc.date.available2022-08-14T18:28:09Z
dc.date.created2021-12
dc.date.issued2021-12-03
dc.date.submittedDecember 2021
dc.date.updated2022-08-14T18:28:10Z
dc.description.abstractWe study the continental dynamics of the contiguous U.S. using global mantle flow models. Our study focuses on three aspects: upper mantle horizontal shear and how it forms seismic anisotropy, basal tractions from the sublithospheric mantle, and how they contribute to forming the present day surface topography, and the flow induced surface deformation. We study the significance of multi-layer seismic anisotropy in the eastern U.S., and the role of small scale flow related shear that affects the anisotropy alignment in the western U.S. Our study proposes the importance of understanding the complexity of sublithospheric mantle flow in the western U.S. With predictions of dynamic topography, we present the effect of plate boundary dynamics on the western U.S. flow, and the various levels of support from mantle flow to the western Cordillera and Intermountain Region. We further constrain the lithosphere-sublithosphere interactions with vertical crustal motions. We observe mantle flow contributions to the subduction zone related deformation with along strike variations, reduced mantle flow support at the center of Great Basin, and the uplift at the Sierra Nevada. We propose the next step of research towards a comprehensive analysis using flow predicted deformation and lithospheric heterogeneity
dc.description.departmentEarth and Planetary Sciences
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/115189
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26153/tsw/42090
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectLithosphere
dc.subjectUpper mantle
dc.subjectAnisotropy
dc.titleContinental dynamics of the North American plate
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialtext
thesis.degree.departmentGeological Sciences
thesis.degree.disciplineGeological Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorThe University of Texas at Austin
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy

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