In this paper,we provide an up-to-date comprehensive compilation of dislocation creep and the rheological properties of crustal minerals and polymineralic rocks.We also review the current status of paleostress estimates based on free dislocation density,subgrain and recrystallized grain sizes,and microboudinage.There are large discrepancies between the published results of experimental deformation on the same mineral or rock,making a reliable extrapolation of the experimentally determined flow laws to natural strain rates difficult.The main causes of the discrepancies are:①non-achievement of steady-state creep or steady-state microstructures (e.g. ,grain size,dislocation density,and texture);②incomplete characterization of water content;and③imprecise measurements of differential stress.Resolving these issues will improve our quantitative studies of the lithospheric materials and deformation mechanisms.This paper also encourages young geoscientists to engage in challenging research to advance our understanding of continental tectonics and geodynamics through detailed and comprehensive studies of the rheology of continental crust and mantle rocks.