Schematic cartoons showing the two types of plate divergent-convergent coupling on Earth (IMAGE)

Science China Press

Schematic cartoons showing the two types of plate divergent-convergent coupling on Earth

Caption

A. The lithospheric breakup-collision coupling system, in which collisional thickening of the continental crust is coupled with lithospheric breakup due to asthenospheric upwelling for active rifting. B. The seafloor spreading-lithospheric subduction coupling system, in which the oceanic slab is subducted to depths of >80-100 km for the gravitational pull, providing far-field stresses for passive rifting.

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