Nós usamos tomografia sísmica de tempo de percurso para estudar o manto superior sob as regiões Sudeste e Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Este método baseia-se na inversão de resíduos relativos de tempo para as ondas P e S (VanDecar, 1991), que foram obtidos para mais de 80 estações em uma área de 20 x 20 graus. Mais de 11000 e 8000 resíduos de tempo foram obtidos para as ondas P (P direta e PKPdf) e S (S direta, ScS, SKS e SKKS), respectivamente, utilizando correlação cruzada de forma de ondas para até 12 estações operando simultaneamente. Para avaliar a robustez dos resultados com respeito aos dados, nós utilizamos o método estatístico de re-amostragem Jackknife, o qual inerentemente leva em conta a altamente variável cobertura dos raios e os erros das medidas, e pode fornecer limites de confiança para as anomalias. Inversões regionais foram realizadas para estudar a influência da parametrização nas anomalias sísmicas. Nossos resultados mostraram boa correlação das anomalias sísmicas com as principais estruturas tectônicas e revelaram novas anomalias que ainda não haviam sido observadas nos trabalhos anteriores. Anomalias de alta velocidade na porção oeste do Cráton do São Francisco apóiam a hipótese de que este cráton foi parte de uma placa Neoproterozóica maior. Anomalias de baixa velocidade sob a Província Tocantins (principalmente nas faixas móveis entre os Crátons Amazônico e do São Francisco) foram interpretadas como causadas por afinamento litosférico, consistente com a boa correlação entre a sismicidade intraplaca e as anomalias de baixa velocidade nesta região (Assumpção et al., 2004b). A melhora na resolução da anomalia de alta velocidade sob a Bacia do Paraná (~200 km) permitiu uma discussão sobre a geometria do núcleo cratônico desta Bacia. A subducção da Placa de Nazca foi observada como uma anomalia de alta velocidade sob a Bacia do Paraná (profundidades entre 700 e 1200 km). Nestas profundidades, uma grande anomalia de baixa velocidade aparece próxima da Placa de Nazca. Testes sintéticos mostraram que esta anomalia é um artefato da inversão gerado pela presença da Placa de Nazca. / We used travel time seismic tomography to study the upper mantle beneath SE and Central Brazil. This method is based on the inversion of P- and S-wave relative travel time residuals (VanDecar, 1991) obtained from more than 80 stations in an area of 20 x 20 degrees. More than 11000 P and PKP residuals, and more than 8000 S, ScS, SKS, and SKKS residuals were obtained from waveform cross-correlations for up to 12 simultaneous stations. To evaluate the robustness of the tomographic results with respect to the data, we use the Jackknife re-sampling method, which inherently take into account the highly variable ray coverage and measurement errors, and can provide confidence limits for the anomalies. Regional inversions were carried out to study influence of the parameterization on the seismic anomalies. Our results show correlations of seismic anomalies with the main tectonic structures and reveal new anomalies not yet observed in previous works. High velocity anomalies in the western portion of the São Francisco Craton support the hypothesis that this craton was part of a major Neoproterozoic plate. Low velocity anomalies beneath the Tocantins Province (mainly fold belts between the Amazon and São Francisco cratons) are interpreted as due to lithospheric thinning, consistent with a good correlation between intraplate seismicity and low velocity anomalies in this region (Assumpção et al., 2004b). The resolution improvement of the high velocity anomalies beneath the Parana Basin (at ~200 km) allows a discussion about the geometry of the cratonic nucleous of this Basin. The slab of the Nazca Plate is observed as a high velocity anomaly beneath the Parana basin (at 700-1200 km depth). At these depths, large low velocity anomaly appears next to the slab. Synthetic tests show that these anomalies are an artifact of the inversion generated by the presence of the slab.

The vast distribution and long duration of the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern part of South China presents a unique case in the world. This offers a natural laboratory to study the process of magma genesis, the magma emplacement mode, the relationship between magmatism and tectonics, the geodynamic role on the magma emplacement and lithospheric evolution. Since 50's, particularly 90's of the last century, geoscientists have made important efforts in geological cartography and carried out numerous studies with remarkable scientific achievements, building a solid background to understand the tectonic evolution of the South China Block (SCB). However, certain fundamental questions mentioned above remain unsolved and/or are in hot debate. In order to make progress in these scientific issues, we have carried out in a multi-disciplinary study in the Late Mesozoic Qingyang-Jiuhua massif, Hengshan massif and Fujian coastal zone according to their distance with respect to the paleo subduction zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate, the ages of granitic massifs and related tectonics, including field observation on the structure geology, micro-observation on thin section, U-Pb dating on monazite, AMS, paleomagnetism, gravity modeling and P condition concern the granite emplacement. In the view of deformation in these granitic massifs and their country rocks, mode and influence of regional tectonics on the emplacement, though each studied zone reveals its distinguished characteristics, they show some intrinsic and common relationships between them. With our new results and integrating previous data, in this thesis, we discuss the tectonic context of emplacement of these Late Mesozoic magmatic massifs and the geodynamic evolution of the SCB., We propose a 3-step geodynamic model: (1) during 145-130 Ma period, the Paleo-Pacific plate subducted northwestwardly, the West Philippines micro-continent, approaching to SCB, important subduction-related arc volcanism was produced in the coastal areas of Southeast China coast (Zhejiang-Fujian-Guangdong), forming a back-arc extension tectonic system in SCB; (2) during 130-110 Ma period, due to the collision between the West Philippines microcontinent and SCB, the compressional tectonic structures were developed in the Changle-Na'ao coastal zone, producing ductile deformation zones. However, the inland of the eastern part of SCB was under a NW-SE extensional tectonic regime; (3) during 105-90 Ma period, a new subduction zone was developed in the SE flank of the West Philippines micro-continent, the subducting slab reached the Changle-Nan'ao tectonic belt, with the possible break-off of slab, the asthenospheric ascent was responsible for the important emplacement of plutonic massifs and dykes. The tectonics of the eastern part of SCB was characterized by a general extensional system in this period. This tectonic pattern has been significantly disturbed by the Oligocene-Eocene opening of the South China sea,and the Miocene shortening of the SCB margin in Taiwan. Of course, this model should be improved by more geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations.

L’architecture crustale et l’évolution de la partie profonde des marges passives peu-magmatiques sont encore mal comprises. En prenant comme chantier principal les marges Australie-Antarctique, cette thèse montre que l’enregistrement de la déformation dans les sédiments met en évidence une évolution polyphasée des marges distales. Cette évolution polyphasée implique le développement de multiples systèmes de détachement présentant une organisation hors-séquence et menant à une architecture finale symétrique des domaines exhumés. Cette organisation des systèmes de failles est liée à des cycles de délocalisation / relocalisation de la déformation influencés par l’apport magmatique, par un niveau de découplage et par la remontée asthénosphérique. L’interaction faille / magma apparait particulièrement importante dans l’évolution des marges distales. Cette étude a permis de mieux caractériser la rupture lithosphérique, qui peut se définir comme un événement tectono-magmatique progressif. / The crustal architecture and evolution of the deepest part of magma-poor rifted margins is currently not well understood. Taking the Australia-Antarctica margins as main study area, this thesis shows that the record of the deformation in sediments highlights a clear polyphase evolution of distal margins. This polyphase evolution implies the development of multiple detachment systems presenting an out-of-sequence organization and leading to a final symmetric architecture of the exhumed domains. This organization of fault systems is linked to cycles of delocalisation / re-localisation of the deformation influenced by the magmatic supply, by a decoupling level and by the asthenospheric uplift. Fault / magma interaction appears particularly important during the evolution of distal margins. This study allowed a better characterization of the lithospheric breakup, which can be defined as a progressive tectono-magmatic event.

La lithosphère continentale est physiquement et chimiquement segmentée. La cartographie des isotopes radiogéniques de roches plutoniques acides, représentatives de la croûte continentale, et de laves basiques, représentatives du manteau, possède des similarités avec la cartographie sismique de la lithosphère sous-jacente. Ces similitudes permettent d’interpréter les observations sismiques en étudiant leurs caractéristiques chimiques et leur âge. Les isotopes du plomb permettent de dater et d’identifier l’empilement de segments crustaux qui forment la croûte. L’écart des âges modèles du plomb avec d’autres systèmes identifie le recyclage crustal et le réchauffement de la croûte au dessus de la température du système plomb-plomb. Le système plomb-plomb donne également accès au sous-étudié rapport Th/U qui contraint la profondeur de la source des roches continentales. Certains échantillons de l’ouest U.S.A. proviennent de la croute inférieure, et se sont formés par l’extension crustale ou par un flux de matériel au sein de la croûte. Les isotopes du néodyme et de l’hafnium marquent la fusion du manteau lithosphérique enrichis sous le Colorado Plateau, une région où est observée le détachement du manteau lithosphérique sub-continental. Ce manteau fond par décompression adiabatique, par extension localisée ou remontée asthénosphérique engendrée par la convection locale. Au final, l’association des systèmes isotopiques du plomb, du néodyme, et de l’hafnium avec la sismologie est une approche puissante pour étudier la formation et la déformation de la lithosphère continentale. / Continental lithosphere is physically and chemically segmented. The mapping at a continent size scale of radiogenic isotopes from plutonic acid rocks, sampling the continental crust, and from mafic lavas, sampling the mantle, has similarities with the seismic mapping of the underlying lithosphere. These similarities allow to interpret the seismic observations by studying their chemical characteristics and age. Lead isotopes are used to date and identify the stacking of crustal segments that form the crust. The deviation of Lead model ages with other system is used to identify crustal recycling and the heating of the crust above the Lead-Lead system closing temperature. The Lead-Lead system also give access to the under-studied Th/U ratio that constrains the depth of the continental rock sources. Somes samples from the Western U.S. are coming from the lower crust, formed by crustal extension or crustal flowing within the crust. Neodymium and Hafnium isotopes identify the fusion of an enriched lithospheric mantle under the Colorado Plateau, a place where lithospheric delamination has been observed. This mantle melts by adiabatic decompression due to localized expansion or asthenospheric upwelling caused by secondary convection. At the end, the merging of Lead, Neodymium, and Hafnium isotopic systems with seismology is a powerful tool to study the formation and deformation of the continental lithosphere.

L'étude du fonctionnement et de la structure des grandes zones de cisaillement, ainsi que de leur évolution dans l'espace et dans le temps est primordiale car elles accommodent la majeure partie de la déformation dans la croûte intermédiaire, la croûte inférieure et également dans le manteau supérieur. La zone de cisaillement du Mertz (MSZ ; longitude 145°Est, Antarctique) s’est révélée être un objet clé pour étudier la localisation de la déformation. La MSZ se situe sur la bordure Est du craton néoarchéen-paléoprotérozoïque de Terre Adélie (TAC) et le sépare d'un domaine granitique Paléozoïque à l'Est. Les études précédentes suggèrent que cette structure décrochante représente la continuité de la zone de cisaillement de Kalinjala (KSZ, Sud de l'Australie) avant l'ouverture de l'océan Austral. Les roches à l'affleurement indiquent que cette structure a été formée dans la croûte intermédiaire en contexte transpressif dextre à 1.7 Ga. La structure de la MSZ a été étudiée depuis l'échelle du terrain jusqu'à l'échelle du micromètre. L'analyse des structures de terrain indique que la déformation paléoprotérozoïque est principalement accommodée par des zones de cisaillement localisées qui sont extrêmement anastomosées au niveau de la MSZ et qui deviennent plus éparses au sein du TAC. Les microstructures et les orientations préférentielles de réseau (OPR) des minéraux (quartz, feldspaths, biotite, amphibole et orthopyroxène) de la MSZ montrent des caractéristiques communes interprétables en terme de conditions, de cinématique et de régime de la déformation qui se distinguent de celles observées dans les boudins tectonique du TAC. Ces derniers montrent, quant à eux, des microstructures et OPR qui révèlent une variété de mécanismes de déformation développés lors de leur formation à 2.5 Ga.L'étude sismologique (fonctions récepteurs et anisotropie des ondes SKS) permet d'apporter de nouvelles données pour la cartographie des structures profondes de la MSZ, du TAC et du domine paléozoïque. Les résultats des fonctions récepteurs indiquent que la croûte est épaisse d'environ 40 à 44 km sous le TAC, 36 km à l'aplomb de la MSZ et 28 km dans le domaine paléozoïque à l'Est. L'analyse de l'anisotropie des ondes SKS suggère que la structuration du manteau sous le craton (ϕ≈N90°E, δt=0,8-1,6s) est différente de celle sous le domaine paléozoïque (ϕ≈N60°E, δt=0,6s). Ainsi, la MSZ constitue la frontière entre ces deux lithosphères ayant des épaisseurs crustales et une structuration du manteau différentes. Enfin, l'étude géochronologique (U-Pb sur zircons et monazites) révèle que le socle du domaine à l'Est de la MSZ présente des âges et une histoire géodynamique différents du TAC. Les âges hérités archéens et paléoprotérozoïques sont similaires à ceux des terrains situés à l'Est de la KSZ au Sud de l'Australie, confirmant ainsi la connexion entre les zones de cisaillement du Mertz et de Kalinjala. De plus, les âges paléozoïques des zircons hérités et métamorphiques et la position géographique des affleurements à l'ouest de la chaîne Transantarctique suggèrent que les échantillons étudiés sont issus d'une marge passive anté-Gondwana formée au sein d'un bassin arrière arc ouvert dans la croûte continentale juste avant la collision de Ross à ≈514-505 Ma.Ainsi, cette étude permet de préciser l'évolution géodynamique à l'Est de la MSZ, et d'apporter de nouveaux éléments pour la connexion avec les terrains du Sud de l'Australie. Par ailleurs, cette thèse souligne l'importance de l'héritage tectonique dans le développement des zones de cisaillement avec, dans le cas de la MSZ, la présence de structures héritées archéennes, ainsi que des processus de localisation de la déformation au sein des lithosphères cratoniques au moins depuis le Paléoprotérozoïque / The study of the behavior and the structure of large shear zones, as well as their evolution in space and times is essential because shear zones accommodate the main deformation in intermediate and deep crust as well as in the mantle.The Mertz shear zone (MSZ; longitude 145°East, Antarctica) is a key target for the study of the deformation localization. The MSZ is located on the eastern boundary of the Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Terre Adélie craton (TAC) and it separates the TAC from a Paleozoic granitic domain to the east. Previous studies suggest that this strike slip structure was probably continuous with the Kalinjala shear zone (KSZ, South Australia) before the opening of the Southern Ocean. Outcrops indicate that the MSZ was formed in the intermediate crust during a transpressive event at 1.7 Ga. The structure of the MSZ was studied from terrain to micrometric scales. The field structural study shows that the Paleoproterozoic deformation is mainly accommodated by localized shear zones that are extremely anastomosed at the MSZ and become more scattered elsewhere in the TAC. Microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of minerals (quartz, feldspaths, biotite, amphibole and orthopyroxene) of the MSZ indicate similar characteristics that can be interpreted in terms of conditions, cinematic and rate of deformation, which are distinct from those of the the tectonic boudins from the TAC. These tectonic boudins reveal microstructures and CPO including a large variety of mechanisms of deformation developed during their formation at 2.5 Ga. The seismological study (receiver functions and SKS-waves anisotropy) permits the characterization of the deep structure on the MSZ area. Receiver functions results show that crustal thickness is about 40 to 44km in the TAC, 36km above the MSZ and 28km in the Paleozoic domain to the east. Analysis of SKS-waves anisotropy suggests that the mantle structures below the craton (ϕ≈N90°E, δt=0,8-1,6s) are different from the ones below the Paleozoic domain (ϕ≈N60°E, δt=0,6s). Thus, the MSZ constitutes the boundary between two lithospheres with distinct crustal thicknesses and mantle structures. The geochronological study (U-Pb dating on zircon and monazite) reveals that the basement of the domain located to the east of the MSZ has a different age and geodynamical story than the TAC. Inherited Archean and Paleoproterozoic ages are similar to those of the terrains located to the east of the KSZ in South Australia that confirms the connection between the Mertz and Kalinjala shear zones. Moreover, the inherited and metamorphic Paleozoic zircon ages as well as the geographic location of the outcrops west of the Transantarctic mountains suggest that studied samples are derived from a pre-Gondwana passive margin formed in a back-arc basin opened in the continental crust just before the Ross orogeny at ≈514-505Ma.This multi-scale approach thus permits precise the geodynamic evolution of the region located east of the MSZ and provide new elements for Australia-Antarctica connection. Moreover, this thesis highlights the importance of tectonic inheritance in the development of shear zones (with the presence of archean inherited structures in the case of the MSZ), as well as localization processes in cratonic lithospheres from at least the Paleoproterozoic times

Chapter 1-2:The Cassini RADAR mapper has imaged elevated blocks and mountains on Titan we term ‘ridges’. Two unresolved problems regarding Titan's surface are still debated: what is the origin of its ridges and was there tectonic activity on Titan? To understand the processes that produced the ridges, in this study, (1) we analyze the distribution and orientation of ridges through systematic geomorphologic mapping and (2) we compare the location of the ridges to a new global topographic map to explore the correlation between elevation and ridges and the implications for Titan's surface evolution. Globally, the orientation of ridges is nearly E-W and the ridges are more common near the equator than at the poles, which suggests a tectonic origin for most of the ridges on Titan. In addition, the ridges are found to preferentially lie at higher-than-average elevations near the equator. We conclude the most reasonable formation scenario for Titan's ridges is that contractional tectonism built the ridges and thickened the icy lithosphere, causing regional uplift. The combination of global and regional tectonic events, likely contractional in nature, plus enhanced fluvial erosion and sedimentation near the poles, would have contributed to shaping Titan's tectonic landforms and surface morphology to what we see today. However, contractional structures (i.e. thrusts and folds) require large stresses (8~10 MPa), the sources of which probably do not exist on Titan. Liquid hydrocarbons in Titan's near subsurface must play a role similar to that of water on Earth and lead to fluid overpressures, which enable contractional deformation at smaller stresses (< 1MPa) by significantly reducing the shear strength of materials. We show that crustal conditions with enhanced pore fluid pressures on Titan favor the formation of thrust faults and related folds, in a contractional stress field. The production of folds, as on Earth, is facilitated by the presence of crustal liquids to weaken the crust. These hydrocarbon fluids have played a key role in Titan's tectonic evolutionary history, leaving it the only icy body on which strong evidence for contractional tectonism exists. Chapter 3: Arthur Wichmann's ‘Earthquakes of the Indian Archipelago’ documents several large earthquakes and tsunami throughout the Banda Arc region that can be interpreted as mega-thrust events. However, the source regions of these events are not known. One of the largest and well-documented events in the catalog is the great earthquake and tsunami affecting the Banda islands on 1 August 1629. It caused severe damage from a 15-meter tsunami that arrived at the Banda Islands about a half hour after violent shaking stopped. The earthquake was also recorded 230 km away in Ambon, but no tsunami is mentioned. This event was followed by at least 9 years of uncommonly frequent seismic activity in the region that tapered off with time, which can be interpreted as aftershocks. The combination of these observations indicates that the earthquake was most likely a mega-thrust event. We use an inverse modeling approach to numerically reconstruct the tsunami, which constrains the likely location and magnitude of the 1629 earthquake. Only linear numerical models are applied due to the low-resolution of bathymetry in the Banda Islands and Ambon. Therefore, we apply various wave amplification factors (1.5 to 4) derived from simulations of recent, well-constrained tsunami to bracket the upper and lower limits of earthquake moment magnitudes for the event. The closest major earthquake sources to the Banda Islands are the Tanimbar and Seram Troughs of the Banda subduction/collision zone. Other source regions are too far away for such a short arrival time of the tsunami after shaking. Moment magnitudes predicted by the models in order to produce a 15 m tsunami are Mw of 9.8 to 9.2 on the Tanimbar Trough and Mw 8.8 to 8.2 on the Seram Trough. The arrival times of these waves are 58 minutes for Tanimbar Trough and 30 minutes for Seram Trough. The model also predicts 5 meters run-up for Ambon from a Tanimbar Trough source, which is inconsistent with the historical records. Ambon is mostly shielded from a wave generated by a Seram Trough Source.We conclude that the most likely source of the 1629 mega-thrust earthquake is the Seram Trough. Only one earthquake > Mw 8.0 is recorded instrumentally from the eastern Indonesia region although high rates of strain (50-80 mm/a) are measured across the Seram section of the Banda subduction zone. Enough strain has already accumulated since the last major historical event to produce an earthquake of similar size to the 1629 event. Due to the rapid population growth in coastal areas in this region, it is imperative that the most vulnerable coastal areas prepare accordingly.

Continental rifting is an important geodynamic process during which the Earth's outer-most rigid shell undergoes continuous stretching resulting in continental break-up and theformation of new oceanic basins. The East African Rift System, which has two continentalsegments comprising largely of the East African Rift (EAR) to the West and the easternmostsegment Madagascar, is the largest narrow rift on Earth. However, the driving mechanismsof continental rifting remain poorly understood due to a lack of numerical infrastructure tosimulate rifting, the lack of knowledge of the underlying mantle dynamics, and poor knowl-edge of mantle rheology. Here, we use state-of-art computational modeling of the upper660 km of the Earth to: 1) provide a better understanding of mantle flow patterns and themantle rheology beneath Madagascar, 2) to elucidate the main driving forces of observedpresent-day∼E-W opening in the EAR, and 3) to investigate the role of multiple plumesor a superplume in driving surface deformation in the EAR. In chapter 1, we simulate EdgeDriven convection (EDC), constrained by a lithospheric thickness model beneath Madagas-car. The mantle flow associated with the EDC is used to calculate induced olivine aggregates'Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO), known as seismic anisotropy. The predicted LPO isthen used to calculate synthetic seismic anisotropy, which were compared with observationsacross the island. Through a series of comparisons, we found that asthenospheric flow result-ing from undulations in lithospheric thickness variations is the dominant source of the seismicanisotropy, but fossilized structures from an ancient shear zone may play a role in southern Madagascar. Our results suggest that the rheological conditions needed for the formationof seismic anisotropy, dislocation creep, dominates the upper asthenosphere beneath Mada-gascar and likely other continental regions. In chapter 2, we use a 3D numerical model ofthe lithosphere-asthenosphere system to simulate instantaneous lithospheric deformation inthe EAR and surroundings. We test the hypothesis that the∼E-W extension of the EAR isdriven by large scale forces arising from topography and internal density gradients, known aslithospheric buoyancy forces. We calculate surface deformation solely driven by lithosphericbuoyancy forces and compare them with surface velocity observations. The lithosphericbuoyancy forces are implemented by imposing observed topography at the model surfaceand lateral density variations in the crust and mantle down to a compensation depth of 100km. Our results indicate that the large-scale∼E-W extension across East Africa is driven bylithospheric buoyancy forces, but not along-rift surface motions in deforming zones. In chap-ter 3, we test the hypothesis that the anomalous northward rift-parallel deformation observedin the deforming zones of the EAR is driven by viscous coupling between the lithosphereand deep upwelling mantle material, known as a superplume, flowing northward. We testtwo end-member plume models including a multiple plumes model simulated using high res-olution shear wave tomography-derived thermal anomaly and a superplume model (Africansuperplume) simulated by imposing a northward mantle-wind on the multiple plumes model.Our results suggest that the horizontal tractions from northward mantle flow associated withthe African Superplume is needed to explain observations of rift-parallel surface motions indeforming zones from GNSS/GPS data and northward oriented seismic anisotropy beneaththe EAR. Overall, this work yields a better understanding of the geodynamics of Africa. / Doctor of Philosophy / Continental rifting is an important geodynamic process during which the Earth's outer-most rigid shell undergoes continuous stretching resulting in continental break-up and theformation of new oceanic basins. The East African Rift System, which has two continentalsegments comprising largely of the East African Rift (EAR) to the West and the easternmostsegment Madagascar, is the largest narrow rift on Earth. However, the driving mechanismsof continental rifting remain poorly understood due to a lack of numerical infrastructure tosimulate rifting, the lack of knowledge of the underlying mantle dynamics, and poor knowl-edge of mantle rheology. Here, we use state-of-art computational modeling of the upper660 km of the Earth to: 1) provide a better understanding of mantle flow patterns and themantle rheology beneath Madagascar, 2) to elucidate the main driving forces of observedpresent-day∼E-W opening in the EAR, and 3) to investigate the role of multiple plumesor a superplume in driving surface deformation in the EAR. In chapter 1, we simulate EdgeDriven convection (EDC), constrained by a lithospheric thickness model beneath Madagas-car. The mantle flow associated with the EDC is used to calculate induced olivine aggregates'Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO), known as seismic anisotropy. The predicted LPO isthen used to calculate synthetic seismic anisotropy, which were compared with observationsacross the island. Through a series of comparisons, we found that asthenospheric flow result-ing from undulations in lithospheric thickness variations is the dominant source of the seismicanisotropy, but fossilized structures from an ancient shear zone may play a role in southern Madagascar. Our results suggest that the rheological conditions needed for the formationof seismic anisotropy, dislocation creep, dominates the upper asthenosphere beneath Mada-gascar and likely other continental regions. In chapter 2, we use a 3D numerical model ofthe lithosphere-asthenosphere system to simulate instantaneous lithospheric deformation inthe EAR and surroundings. We test the hypothesis that the∼E-W extension of the EAR isdriven by large scale forces arising from topography and internal density gradients, known aslithospheric buoyancy forces. We calculate surface deformation solely driven by lithosphericbuoyancy forces and compare them with surface velocity observations. The lithosphericbuoyancy forces are implemented by imposing observed topography at the model surfaceand lateral density variations in the crust and mantle down to a compensation depth of 100km. Our results indicate that the large-scale∼E-W extension across East Africa is driven bylithospheric buoyancy forces, but not along-rift surface motions in deforming zones. In chap-ter 3, we test the hypothesis that the anomalous northward rift-parallel deformation observedin the deforming zones of the EAR is driven by viscous coupling between the lithosphereand deep upwelling mantle material, known as a superplume, flowing northward. We testtwo end-member plume models including a multiple plumes model simulated using high res-olution shear wave tomography-derived thermal anomaly and a superplume model (Africansuperplume) simulated by imposing a northward mantle-wind on the multiple plumes model.Our results suggest that the horizontal tractions from northward mantle flow associated withthe African Superplume is needed to explain observations of rift-parallel surface motions indeforming zones from GNSS/GPS data and northward oriented seismic anisotropy beneaththe EAR. Overall, this work yields a better understanding of the geodynamics of Africa.

La vaste distribution géographique et la longue durée du magmatisme au Mésozoïque supérieur (Jurassique et Crétacé) en Chine du Sud présente le cas unique dans le monde. Ceci présente un laboratoire naturel très favorable a l’étude des processus de magmatogénèse, et des modes de mise place des plutons granitiques. Il permet également d’aborder l’analyse des relations magmatisme-tectonique et les contextes géodynamiques de la mise en place de magma dans leur cadre lithosphérique. Depuis les années 50, et surtout les années 90, des scientifiques ont mis un effort important sur la cartographie géologique, mené des études pétrologiques et géochronologiques et ainsi obtenu une base solide pour la compréhension de l’évolution tectonique du Bloc de Chine du Sud (SCB). Cependant, des questions fondamentales restent encore sans réponses ou vivement débattues. Dans le but de progresser sur ces sujets fondamentaux, nous avons mené des études pluridisciplinaires sur les massifs d’âge Mésozoïque supérieur de Qingyang-Jiuhua (Province d’Anhui), Hengshan (Province de Hunan) et certains plutons affleurant dans la zone côtière du Fujian. Le choix des massifs est fonde sur leur distance variable par rapport à la paléozone de subduction, les âges comparables de ces massifs et les déformations associées. Les méthodes d’étude comprennent l’observation de terrain, l’analyse microscopique de lames minces, la datation par U-Pb de monazite, l’ASM, le paléomagnétisme, la modélisation gravimétrique et la barométrie à partir de Al-total dans l’amphibole magmatique. Bien que chaque massif présente des caractéristiques distinctes, ils partagent des points communs du point de vue de leur orientation préférentielle, de la déformation de leurs encaissants et de l’influence de la tectonique régionale sur leur mise en place, D’après nos nouveaux résultats et en intégrant les données précédentes, nous discutons dans cette thèse les contextes tectoniques de mise en place de ces massifs granitiques et l’évolution géodynamique de SCB, et proposons un scénario géodynamique en 3 étapes. (1) Pendant la période 145-130 Ma, la subduction vers le NW de la plaque Paléo-Pacifique sous le continent asiatique fait rapprocher le micro-continent de l’Ouest-Philippines avec le continent de Chine du Sud, produisant l’important magmatisme d’arc et formant un régime tectonique en extension en SCB ? Dans l’arrière-arc; (2) Pendant la période 130-110 Ma, dûe à la collision entre le micro-continent de l’Ouest Philippines et SCB, une structure compressive vers le NW a été développée dans la zone de Changle Nan’ao, produisant des déformations ductiles. Cependant, l’intérieur de la partie orientale du SCB était encore en régime tectonique extensif de direction NW-SE; (3) Pendant la période 105-90Ma, une nouvelle zone de subduction a été développée au SE du micro-continent de l’Ouest Philippines, le panneau subductant atteint la zone de Changle-Nan’ao, avec probablement des morceaux de panneau cassé, provocant l’ascension de l’asthénosphère, responsable de la mise en place d’importants massifs granitiques et de filons. La tectonique de SCB pendant cette période est caractérisée par un système tectonique d’extension générale. Ce dispositif a été significativement perturbe par l’ouverture oligo-miocène de la mer de Chine du Sud et par la compression miocène de la marge à Taiwan. Ce modèle géodynamique reste à être amélioré par de futures investigations géologiques, géophysiques et géochimiques. / The vast distribution and long duration of the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern part of South China presents a unique case in the world. This offers a natural laboratory to study the process of magma genesis, the magma emplacement mode, the relationship between magmatism and tectonics, the geodynamic role on the magma emplacement and lithospheric evolution. Since 50’s, particularly 90’s of the last century, geoscientists have made important efforts in geological cartography and carried out numerous studies with remarkable scientific achievements, building a solid background to understand the tectonic evolution of the South China Block (SCB). However, certain fundamental questions mentioned above remain unsolved and/or are in hot debate. In order to make progress in these scientific issues, we have carried out in a multi-disciplinary study in the Late Mesozoic Qingyang-Jiuhua massif, Hengshan massif and Fujian coastal zone according to their distance with respect to the paleo subduction zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate, the ages of granitic massifs and related tectonics, including field observation on the structure geology, micro-observation on thin section, U-Pb dating on monazite, AMS, paleomagnetism, gravity modeling and P condition concern the granite emplacement. In the view of deformation in these granitic massifs and their country rocks, mode and influence of regional tectonics on the emplacement, though each studied zone reveals its distinguished characteristics, they show some intrinsic and common relationships between them. With our new results and integrating previous data, in this thesis, we discuss the tectonic context of emplacement of these Late Mesozoic magmatic massifs and the geodynamic evolution of the SCB., We propose a 3-step geodynamic model: (1) during 145-130 Ma period, the Paleo-Pacific plate subducted northwestwardly, the West Philippines micro-continent, approaching to SCB, important subduction-related arc volcanism was produced in the coastal areas of Southeast China coast (Zhejiang-Fujian-Guangdong), forming a back-arc extension tectonic system in SCB; (2) during 130-110 Ma period, due to the collision between the West Philippines microcontinent and SCB, the compressional tectonic structures were developed in the Changle-Na’ao coastal zone, producing ductile deformation zones. However, the inland of the eastern part of SCB was under a NW-SE extensional tectonic regime; (3) during 105-90 Ma period, a new subduction zone was developed in the SE flank of the West Philippines micro-continent, the subducting slab reached the Changle-Nan’ao tectonic belt, with the possible break-off of slab, the asthenospheric ascent was responsible for the important emplacement of plutonic massifs and dykes. The tectonics of the eastern part of SCB was characterized by a general extensional system in this period. This tectonic pattern has been significantly disturbed by the Oligocene-Eocene opening of the South China sea,and the Miocene shortening of the SCB margin in Taiwan. Of course, this model should be improved by more geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations.

The Station Creek Igneous Complex (SCIC) is one of the largest Middle-Late Triassic plutonic bodies in the northern New England Orogen of Eastern Australia. The igneous complex comprises of five plutons - the Woonga Granodiorite (237 Ma), Woolooga Granodiorite (234 Ma), Rush Creek Granodiorites (231 Ma) and Gibraltar Quartz Monzodiorite and Mount Mucki Diorite (227 Ma respectively), emplaced as high-level or epizonal bodies within the Devonian-Carboniferous subduction complex that resulted from a westward subduction along the east Australian margin. Composition of the SCIC ranges from monzogabbro to monzogranite, and includes diorite, monzodiorite, quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite. The SCIC has the typical I-type granitoid mineralogy, geochemistry and isotopic compositions. Its geochemistry is characteristics of continental arc magma, and has a depleted-upper mantle signature with up to 14 wt% supracrustal components (87Sr/86Srinitial = 0.70312 to 0.70391; Nd = +1.35 to +4.9; high CaO, Sr, MgO; and low Ni, Cr, Ba, Rb, Zr, Nb, Ga and Y). The SCIC (SiO2 47%-76%) has similar Nd and Sr isotopic values to island-arc and continentalised island-arc basalts, which suggests major involvement of upper mantle sourced melts in its petrogenesis. SCIC comprises of two geochemical groups - the Woolooga-Rush Greek Granodiorite group (W-RC) and the Mount Mucki Diorite-Gibraltar Quartz Monzodiorite group (MMD-GQM). The W-RC Group is high-potassium, calc-alkalic and metaluminous, whereas the MMD-GQM Group is medium to high potassium, transitional calc-alkalic to tholeiitic and metaluminous. The two geochemical groups of the SCIC magmas are generated from at least two distinct sources - an isotopically evolved Neoproterozoic mantle-derived source with greater supracrustal component (10-14 wt%), and an isotopically primitive mafic source with upper mantle affinity. Petrogenetic modeling using both major and trace elements established that the variations within respective geochemical group resulted from fractional crystallisation of clinopyroxene, amphibole and plagioclase from mafic magma, and late fractionation of alkalic and albitic plagioclase in the more evolved magma. Volcanic rocks associated with SCIC are the North Arm Volcanics (232 Ma), and the Neara Volcanics (241-242 Ma) of the Toogoolawah Group. The major and trace element geochemistry of the North Arm Volcanics is similar to the SCIC, suggesting possible co-magmatic relationship between the SCIC and the volcanic rock. The age of the North Arm Volcanics matches the age of the fractionated Rush Creek Granodiorite, and xenoliths of the pluton are found within epiclastic flows of the volcanic unit. The Neara Volcanics (87Sr/86Sr= 0.70152-0.70330, 143Nd/144Nd = 0.51253-0.51259) differs isotopically from the SCIC, indicating a source region within the HIMU mantle reservoir (commonly associated with contaminated upper mantle by altered oceanic crust). The Neara Volcanics is not co-magmatic to the SCIC and is derived from partial melting upper-mantle with additional components from the subducting oceanic plate. The high levels emplacement of an isotopically primitive mantle-derived magma of the SCIC suggest periods of extension during the waning stage of convergence associated with the Hunter Bowen Orogeny in the northern New England Orogen. The geochemical change between 237 to 227 Ma from a depleted-mantle source with diminishing crustal components, to depleted-mantle fractionate, reflects a fundamental change in the source region that can be related to the tectonic styles. The decreasing amount of supracrustal component suggests either thinning of the subduction complex due to crustal attenuation, leading to the late Triassic extension that enables mantle melts to reach subcrustal levels.