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Contents of 11.6 How does strength vary in the lithosphere?

11.6 How does strength vary in the lithosphere?

Drawing to show increasing strenght and brittle failure of the lithosphere

Fig 11.26

Comparison of the strength of oceanic and continental crusts. In both, strength initially increases with depth, and the reverse when plastic flow limit is reached. However, continental crust shows a sharp if brief increase of strength in the transition from deep metamorphic rocks to mantle peridotites.