The lithospheric architecture and dynamics group (LAD) seeks proposals that will contribute to our understanding of the structure, geologic provenance and physical state of the major Southern California lithospheric units, and how these relate to absolute stress and its evolution (A3, A11). The principal objective of this group is to construct a 3D geodynamic model that describes the vertical as well as horizontal tectonics into which the seismogenic crustal deformation model can be embedded. Of particular interest is how flow in the sub-seismogenic zone and the asthenosphere accommodates plate motion and loads faults. The geodynamic model would describe the (e.g. 1 Myr) evolution to the current physical state of the Southern California system. A physics model will be developed that uses the paleo-history of the 3D geology to infer prior physical conditions, such as depths of Moho, the seismogenic layer, base of the lithosphere, topography, rock type, temperature, water content, rheology and how these relate to mantle flow, velocity, anisotropy and density.

In this context, proposals are sought that contribute to our understanding of geologic inheritance as well as three-dimensional structure and physical properties of the lithosphere. Proposals should indicate how the work relates to stress evolution (A3, A11) as well as the current geological structure (C). The ultimate goal is to obtain an absolute stress/rheology model (important to our understanding of how faults are loaded, the earthquake mechanism, fault friction, seismic efficiency, the heat flow paradox) and the expected evolution of stress and strain transients (A5).