Geophysical Evidence Against a Thick Lithosphere Below Central Australia?

Rayleigh wave and electrical anisotropies modelled deeper than 150 km below central Australia are hypothesised to arise owing to strain-induced, lattice-preferred orientation (LPO) of olivine [100] axes at the base of the lithosphere as a consequence of present-day plate motion. In this model, the lithosphere below central Australia is significantly thinner than the high velocity lid inferred from isotropic seismic velocity models. Geodynamic modelling of olivine LPO intensities and plate motion directions are used to explore the extent to which Rayleigh wave and electrical anisotropies modelled deeper than 150 km below central Australia support the hypothesis that both arise owing to mantle flow at the base of the lithosphere.