The distribution of water in the continental lithospheric mantle and its implications for the stability of continents

The lithospheric mantle is one of the key layers controlling the stability of continents. Even a small amount of water can influence many chemical and physical properties of rocks and minerals. Consequently, it is a pivotal task to study the distribution of water in the continental lithosphere. This paper presents a brief overview of the current state of knowledge about （1） the occurrence of water in the continental lithospheric mantle, （2） the spatial and temporal variations of the water content in the continental litho- spheric mantle, and （3） the relationship between water content and continent stability. Additionally, suggestions for future re- search directions are briefly discussed.