= Sediment-lubricated viscous mountain model
{title2=$q_s,\ q_m$}
A lower-viscosity basal sediment layer changes the plate coupling in <viscous mountain spreading over an underthrust plate>. With mountain thickness $H$ and sediment depth $d$, equal densities give one hydrostatic pressure gradient $G=\rho g\partial_x(H+d)$. Fluxes are $q_s=Ud-G(d^2H/2+d^3/3)/\mu_s$ and $q_m=UH-G(dH^2+d^2H/2)/\mu_s-GH^3/(3\mu)$. Separate <conservation of mass> laws determine each layer. Steady zero mountain flux and sediment influx $Ud_\infty$ give contact height $3d_\infty$ and surface slope $2\mu_sU/(9\rho gd_\infty^2)$.
Back to article page
