Geological process
Also known as Solid-state creep
Deformation of solid rock by creep over geological timescales. It is the reason the mantle can convect while remaining, almost everywhere, solid — and the reason it is wrong to describe the mantle as a body of liquid rock.
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Solid rock in the mantle, subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, can soften and change shape — just as a solid metal such as steel does under heat and pressure — without becoming liquid.
Evidence support: Supported by the cited evidence one source
Evidence: Kious 1996 Primary authority
Record last updated 2026-09-06. Corrections follow the published corrections policy; superseded claims are retained, never silently edited.