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Abstract

Interpretation of tomography data indicates that the Barents Sea region has an asymmetric lithospheric structure characterized by a thin and hot lithosphere in the west and a thick and cold lithosphere in the east. This suggests that the lithosphere is stronger in the east than in the west. This asymmetric lithosphere strength structure may have a strong control on the lithosphere response to tectonic and surface processes. In this paper, we present computed strength and effective elastic thickness maps of the lithosphere of the Barents Sea and Kara Sea region. Those are estimated using physical parameters from a 3D lithospheric model of the Barents Sea and Kara Sea region. The lithospheric strength is computed assuming a temperature-dependent ductile and brittle rheology for sediments, crust and mantle lithosphere. Results show that lithospheric strength and elastic thickness are mostly controlled by the lithosphere thickness. The model generally predicts much larger lithospheric strength and elastic thickness for the Proterozoic parts of the East Barents Sea and Kara Sea. Locally, the thickness and lithology of the continental crust disturb this general trend. At last, the gravitational potential energy (GPE) is computed. Our results show that the difference in GPE between the Barents Sea and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provides a net horizontal force large enough to cause contraction in the western and central Barents Sea.