Localized Deformation of Lithospheric Materials: From Grains to Tectonic Plates I

Localized deformation can occur at a range of length scales covering orders of magnitude, from sub-millimeter cracks and slip bands to fault and shear zone systems extending hundreds of kilometers along plate boundaries. The wide range of P-T-X conditions and length scales of deformation present in the lithosphere result in a variety of mechanisms to accommodate strain localization, and the resulting fabrics and microstructures have a profound impact on the long-term rheological properties of the crust and upper mantle. This session aims to address the breadth of deformation mechanisms that localize strain in the lithosphere, from the brittle to the ductile regime, and how these mechanisms affect lithospheric strength and microstructural evolution. We welcome contributions from field observations, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling to elucidate the mechanisms acting on geologic materials over a wide range of conditions, length scales, and time scales.