lithosphere

Domain identity

Record a bounded lithospheric domain rather than an unspecified reference to the ground or crust.

1. Which host body, geographic footprint and geological epoch does this lithosphere record represent? definition
2. Does the footprint follow a material domain, a moving plate region or a fixed observation window? boundary

Basal boundary interpretation

Preserve method-dependent basal estimates rather than selecting an unexplained universal depth.

1. Which thermal, mechanical or geophysical criterion defines the base, and is it a surface or a transition interval? definition
2. What upper surface, depth datum and uncertainty accompany the thickness estimate? measurement
3. Which observations support each competing basal interpretation? provenance

Component partition

Record crustal and lithospheric mantle contributions without expanding into a complete rock catalogue.

1. What evidence classifies the domain as continental, oceanic, transitional or spatially mixed? definition
2. How are crustal thickness, mantle-root geometry and bulk density constrained? measurement

Coupled and weak zones

Identify where crust and mantle are inferred to transmit stress together or deform differently.

1. Which observations support mechanical coupling or decoupling between crust and mantle at the relevant timescale? provenance
2. Which inherited sutures, weak layers or lateral transitions require separate regional treatment? boundary

Geotherm and heat budget

Record plausible temperature profiles and the assumptions that control them.

1. Which heat-flow measurements or other thermal constraints support the inferred geotherm? provenance
2. How sensitive is inferred thermal thickness to conductivity, heat production and basal thermal conditions? measurement

Timescale-dependent response

Attach each strength or flexure interpretation to its loading and deformation conditions.

1. What strain rate, temperature profile, fluid assumptions and constitutive law underlie the strength estimate? measurement
2. Which load age and wavelength constrain effective elastic thickness, and how is it distinguished from basal-boundary depth? measurement
3. For which proposed loads or deformation scenarios is the inferred response applicable? action

Component histories

Maintain separate histories for crust, mantle lithosphere and thermal state.

1. Which dates constrain crust formation, mantle stabilization and subsequent thermal modification separately? provenance
2. What evidence distinguishes cooling-related change from stretching, shortening or magmatic modification? measurement

Domain continuity through change

Record how subduction, detachment or replacement affects the identity of the represented domain.

1. Which observations support material addition, subduction, detachment or replacement, and which alternative explanations remain? provenance
2. When material leaves the surface shell, does this record continue to track it or hand it to a linked slab or mantle-domain model? boundary

Resolution and non-uniqueness

Distinguish measured signals from inferred temperature, composition, melt or strength.

1. Which seismic, gravity, electrical, thermal or sample observations were actually used, and with what spatial and depth resolution? provenance
2. Which inferred anomalies admit competing thermal, compositional, fluid or melt explanations? measurement
3. Do disagreements between thickness estimates reflect different boundary definitions or incompatible evidence? boundary

Permitted inferences

Relate model resolution and uncertainty to observation planning, scenario analysis and project screening.

1. Which additional survey would best distinguish the remaining basal-boundary or strength interpretations? action
2. Can the domain model support the proposed drilling, geothermal or loading assessment at its required depth, scale and timescale? action
3. Which local fault, groundwater, rock-mechanics or hazard models must be consulted before turning regional interpretation into an intervention decision? boundary

Kinds and varieties

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Identifiers and schemes

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Standards and regulation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Regional variation

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Reported by the breadth pass; each item needs checking against its source before it becomes normative.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of lithosphere this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance