Strain rate-dependent lithosphere rifting and necking architectures in analog experiments

Analog models provide a useful tool to investigate on the three-dimensional evolution of geodynamic processes. In this contribution, we describe the results of an experimental program designed for studying the progression through time of lithosphere thinning and necking. In particular, by exploiting the three-dimensional real-time information on surface topography and base lithosphere geometry provided by paired top and bottom laser scanning, we studied the evolution of lithosphere necking at low and fast asymmetric plate divergence. Our results indicate that this parameter plays a fundamental control on the incremental and finite slope of the lithosphere necking. Influences are discussed on the application of experimental data to natural rift system.