Why is terrestrial subduction one-sided?

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2008 Why is terrestrial subduction one-sided? Taras V. Gerya; Taras V. Gerya 1Department of Earth Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH - Zürich), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James A.D. Connolly; James A.D. Connolly 1Department of Earth Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH - Zürich), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David A. Yuen David A. Yuen 2University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0219, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Taras V. Gerya 1Department of Earth Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH - Zürich), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland James A.D. Connolly 1Department of Earth Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH - Zürich), CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland David A. Yuen 2University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0219, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 09 May 2007 Revision Received: 23 Aug 2007 Accepted: 28 Aug 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 The Geological Society of America, Inc. Geology (2008) 36 (1): 43–46. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24060A.1 Article history Received: 09 May 2007 Revision Received: 23 Aug 2007 Accepted: 28 Aug 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Taras V. Gerya, James A.D. Connolly, David A. Yuen; Why is terrestrial subduction one-sided?. Geology 2008;; 36 (1): 43–46. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24060A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Subduction of the lithosphere at convergent-plate boundaries takes place asymmetrically—the subducted slab sinks downward, while the overriding plate moves horizontally (one-sided subduction). In contrast, global mantle convection models generally predict downwelling of both plates at convergent margins (two-sided subduction). We carried out two-dimensional (2-D) numerical experiments with a mineralogical-thermomechanical viscoelastic-plastic model to elucidate the cause of one-sided subduction. Our experiments show that the stability, intensity, and mode of subduction depend mainly on slab strength and the amount of weak hydrated rocks present above the slab. Two-sided subduction occurs at low slab strength (sin[φ] < 0.15, where φ is effective internal friction angle), regardless of the extent of hydration. In contrast, steady-state one-sided subduction requires a weak hydrated slab interface and high slab strength (sin[φ] > 0.15). The weak interface is maintained by the release of fluids from the subducted oceanic crust as a consequence of metamorphism. The resulting weak interplate zone localizes deformation at the interface and decouples the strong plates, facilitating asymmetric plate movement. Our work suggests that high plate strength and the presence of water are major factors controlling the style of plate tectonics driven by self-sustaining one-sided subduction processes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.