We present a new thermal and rheological model of the European lithosphere (10°W–35°E; 35°N–60°N),
which is based on a combination of recently obtained geophysical models. To determine temperature
distribution we use a new tomography model, which is principally improved by an a-priori correction of the
crustal effect, by using EuCRUST-07, a new digital model of the European crust. The inversion approach is
similar to those used in previous studies, but the employment of a more robust tomography model
essentially improves the result. The uppermost mantle under western and central Europe is mostly
characterized by temperatures in a range of 900°–1100 °C, with the hottest areas corresponding to the
basins, which have experienced recent extension (e.g. Tyrrhenian Sea and Pannonian Basin). By contrast, the
mantle temperatures under eastern Europe are about 550°–750 °C at the same depth and the minimum
values are found in the northeastern part of the study area. The new temperature estimates are used to trace
the lithosphere–asthenosphere thermal boundary, as a depth of the isotherm of 1200 °C. The lithospheric
thickness is less than 100 km beneath the hottest part of western and central Europe, while the maximum
values are observed beneath the East European Platform (200–230 km), the Alps and the Dinarides–Hellenic
Arc (150–180 km). EuCRUST-07 and the new thermal model are used to calculate the strength distribution
within the European lithosphere. Differently from previous estimates, the new model adopts lateral
variations of lithology and density, which are derived from the crustal model. According to these estimates,
in western and central Europe the lithosphere is more heterogeneous than in eastern Europe, the latter being
generally characterized by higher strength values. These strength variations are also in a good agreement
with other geophysical characteristics of the lithosphere such as residual mantle gravity anomalies.
