Rheological heterogeneity of Archean continental lithosphere: implications for Archean tectonics

In this contribution we discuss the rheology of the Archean continental lithosphere. Decoupling of the upper crust<br>and mantle lithosphere may be a common situation in any tectonically active region and was probably the rule rather<br>than the exception during the Archean. This has major implications for the style of Archean tectonism.