A better knowledge of the strength of the continental lithosphere is fundamental to advance our understanding of long-standing problems in tectonics. Are faults as discrete, narrow deformation zones limited to the upper, brittle crust? Or is shear localized in narrow zones below the brittle crust? What is the role of lower crust and upper mantle deformation in determining the strength of the lithosphere? What is the relationship between regional stress field and fault friction? Is the frictional strength heterogeneous among faults, or is it stress that varies locally?
In this interdisciplinary session we will bring together contributions from a wide range of research areas that address field observations, experimental results, analog or computer models, all aimed at improving our understanding of the strength of the continental lithosphere.


List of solicited speakers:

John Suppe
Mark Zoback
John Platt
Georg Dresen
Evgene Burov