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The initiation of subduction: criticality by addition of water?
Journal article

The initiation of subduction: criticality by addition of water?

  • Regenauer-Lieb K Institute of Geophysics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule-Hönggerberg, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. klaus@tomo.ig.erdw.ethz.ch
  • Yuen DA
  • Branlund J
  • 2001-10-20
Published in:
  • Science (New York, N.Y.). - 2001
Multidisciplinary
English 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.
Language
  • English
Open access status
closed
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Persistent URL
https://sonar.ch/global/documents/222670
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