Modeling Fluid Migration in Subduction Zones

Subduction Zones

[1] Subduction zones are where sediments, oceanic crust, and mantle lithosphere return to and reequilibrate with Earth’s mantle. Subduction zones are interior expressions of Earth’s 55,000 km of convergent plate margins and are the geodynamic system that builds island arcs. Excess density of the mantle lithosphere in subduction zones provides most of the power needed to move the plates while in...

Fluid migration in continental subduction: The Northern Apennines case study

Simple Kinematics of Subduction Zones

Two main types of subduction zones can be distinguished: (1) those where the subduction hinge migrates away from the upper plate; and (2) those in which the subduction hinge migrates toward the upper plate. Apart from a few exceptions, this distinction seems to apply particularly for W-directed subduction zones and Eor NE-directed subduction zones, respectively. Moreover, the rate of subduction...

Some remarks on subduction zones

The rate of subduction is larger than the convergence rate along W-directed subduction zones, whereas it is smaller along Eor NE-directed subduction zones. Along Wdirected slabs, the subduction rate is the convergence rate plus the slab retreat rate, which tends to equal the backarc extension rate. Along Eor NE-directed slabs, the subduction rate is decreased by the shortening in the upper plat...

Why subduction zones are curved

[1] We give an explanation for the polarity, localization, shape, size, and initiation of subduction zones on Earth. By considering a soft, thin, curved lithospheric cap with either elastic or viscous rheology supported by a thick, nearly incompressible mantle, we find two different characteristic subduction geometries arise depending on boundary conditions: (1) plate boundaries where subductio...