A thin elastic core can control large-scale patterns of lithosphere shortening

Peak lithospheric strength should reside in the rocks that, under the applied stress, cannot either creep (due to low temperature) or break (due to high confining pressure). The greatest resistance comes from dry olivine/pyroxene-rich upper mantle/lowermost crust at Moho conditions (400–600 °C and > 1 GPa). We have conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the importance of the unbreakable core of the lithosphere in between its brittle and ductile parts and conclude that it can control the large-scale lithospheric deformation pattern under shortening. Regardless of the thickness of the unbreakable core, it acts as a restraining layer that is easily flexed but is unstretchable. This eliminates large scale brittle faulting or homogeneous thickening as available shortening modes and results in irregular wrinkling of the unbreakable layer. We discuss geodynamic implications of our laboratory experiments and advocate studies of large scale buckling of the lithosphere as a relevant shortening mode.