The rheological structure of the east Asian continental lithosphere and research progress

Plate tectonic theory can adequately explain the deformation characteristics of the oceanic lithosphere, but it struggles to account for the diffuse and complex deformation features within continental interiors. The primary distinction between continental and oceanic lithosphere lies in their rheological structures. The oceanic lithosphere is strong, and the interior of the plate is barely deformed; while the continental lithosphere exhibits a multi-layered rheological structure with alternating strong and weak layers, and this rheological characteristic is a key controlling factor for the formation of complex deformation patterns observed in the continental lithosphere. Therefore, constructing a reasonable rheological model of the lithosphere is fundamental to understanding intracontinental deformation, as well as seismic and volcanic activities. This paper reviews the basic methods for modeling the rheological structure of the continental lithosphere and, based on the latest research findings, presents the rheological characteristics of the East Asian continental lithosphere. Vertical layering and horizontal partitioning are the most prominent features of the rheological structure of the East Asian continental lithosphere. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the controlling role of the continental lithosphere's rheological structure in both short-term seismic deformation and vertical distribution, and long-term lithospheric evolution. Finally, this study summarizes the existing models of continental lithosphere rheology and their limitations, while outlining future research directions.