LitMod3D: An interactive 3‐D software to model the thermal, compositional, density, seismological, and rheological structure of the lithosphere and sublithospheric upper mantle

Abstract

[1] We present an interactive 3-D computer program (LitMod3D) developed to perform combined geophysical-petrological modeling of the lithosphere and sublithospheric upper mantle. In contrast to other available modeling software, LitMod3D is built within an internally consistent thermodynamicgeophysical framework, where all relevant properties are functions of temperature, pressure, and composition. By simultaneously solving the heat transfer, thermodynamic, rheological, geopotential, and isostasy (local and flexural) equations, the program outputs temperature, pressure, surface heat flow, density (bulk and single phase), seismic wave velocities, geoid and gravity anomalies, elevation, and lithospheric strength for any given model. These outputs can be used to obtain thermal and compositional models of the lithosphere and sublithospheric upper mantle that simultaneously fit all available geophysical and petrological observables. We illustrate some of the advantages and limitations of LitMod3D using synthetic models and comparing our predictions with those from other modeling methods. In particular, we show that (1) temperature at midlithosphere depths may be overestimated by as much as 200 K when compositional heterogeneities in the mantle and T-P effects are not considered in lithospheric models and (2) the neglect of mantle phase transformations on gravity-based models in thin-crust settings can result in a significant overestimation and underestimation of the derived crustal thickness and its internal density distribution, respectively.

Lithospheric mantle heterogeneities beneath the Zagros Mountains and the Iranian Plateau: a petrological-geophysical study

“…In contrast to previous studies, in this work, we apply a self-consistent petrological-geophysical approach (Afonso et al 2008;Fullea et al 2009), which integrates potential fields (gravity and geoid), isostasy (elevation), thermal equations (heat flow and temperature distribution) and mantle mineral physics. Hence, the calculated mantle density, thermal conductivity and elastic parameters (Vp and Vs) depend on temperature, pressure and chemical composition through the equations of state.…”

Density structure and isostasy of the lithosphere in Egypt and their relation to seismicity

“…Therefore, the identification of density variations in the crust and upper mantle is challenging and this problem cannot be solved by a particular geophysical method alone. Recent efforts have aimed at integrating multiple geophysical and petrological datasets into a common interpretation framework (e.g., Fullea et al, 2009;Gradmann et al, 2013;Kaban and Mooney, 2001;Kaban et al, 2014a).…”

Application of thermodynamic modelling to natural mantle xenoliths: examples of density variations and pressure–temperature evolution of the lithospheric mantle

“…CFMAS or NCF-MAS; Afonso et al 2008;Fullea et al 2009Fullea et al , 2010Fullea et al , 2012Fullea et al , 2014Jones et al 2014). Notably, the recent studies of Klemme et al (2009) and Ziberna et al (2013) show that phase relations in Cr-bearing, near-natural peridotite compositions change considerably with respect to the Cr-free system.…”

“…Thanks to the advances in computer programming and modelling techniques, it is now possible to integrate these methodologies in single, self-consistent models, which are able to predict even two-and threedimensional variations of density in the uppermost mantle (e.g. Afonso et al 2008;Fullea et al 2009).…”