STRESS MODELS OVER THE CENTRAL NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT

The lithosphere asthenosphere interaction is a complex process, and one of the most fundamental problems in geodynamics. New insights have been brought on the structure of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle through the set-up of the mobile EarthScope/USArray. We use several tomography models obtained through this experiment. We convert them into densities and temperature anomalies either through thermodynamic calculations or through conversion laws published by various authors. We then compute the instantaneous mantle flow in a 3D spherical geometry with realistic temperature and pressure dependent rheology, and derive the lithospheric stresses and the induced tectonic regimes. We compare those to indicators of intraplate deformations in order to provide a better understanding of the present-day stress and deformation regimes. This study will focus on the central part of the North America continent.