Regenauer-Lieb K Yuen DA Branlund J 2001 Subduction is a major process of plate tectonics; however, its initiation is not understood. We used high-resolution (less than 1 kilometer) finite-element models based on rheological data of the lithosphere to investigate the role played by water on initiating subduction. A solid-fluid thermomechanical instability is needed to drive a cold, stiff, and negatively buoyant lithosphere into the mantle. This instability can be triggered slowly by sedimentary loading over a time span of 100 million years. Our results indicate that subduction can proceed by a double feedback mechanism (thermoelastic and thermal-rheological) promoted by lubrication due to water. https://sonar.ch/global/documents/222670 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1126/science.1063891 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/11641494 Science (New York, N.Y.). - 2001 Multidisciplinary The initiation of subduction: criticality by addition of water? http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501