Modelling lithospheric deformation
Physical (experimental) Modelling - This approach is very popular amongst tectonicists. It consists in building a scaled-down model - from a piece of continental crust to an entire segment of continental lithosphere floatting on the asthenospheric mantle - and to submitt the model to boundary conditions that will drive deformation. This approach relies on the availability of "analogue materials" ie materials which have physical properties (density, rheology, thermal diffusivity...) similar to the Earth's materials they represent. Common analogue materials for the brittle upper crust and upper mantle includes quartz sand mixed with other granular material (garnet sand, cellulose...) to lower or increase its density. For the ductile layers, plasticine, silicone fluids and waxes (whose viscosity is dependent on temperature) are popular. For the asthenosphere, analogue materials include honey, glucose syrup, and a water/glycerol mixtures.