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Dynamics of subduction initiation at preexisting fault zones

Toth, John and Gurnis, Michael (1998) Dynamics of subduction initiation at preexisting fault zones. Journal of Geophysical Research B, 103 (B8). pp. 18053-18067. ISSN 0148-0227. doi:10.1029/98JB01076. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130507-114316802

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Abstract

We show that a new subduction zone can initiate at a preexisting dipping fault zone with reasonable plate forces, consistent with what is observed in the western Pacific. The dynamics of subduction initiation within a viscoelastic medium has been systematically explored with the finite element method. We investigate the compression of oceanic lithosphere with both force and velocity boundary conditions and track the thermal structure in which heat is transported by both advection and diffusion. The viscosity of the medium is non-Newtonian and temperature-dependent. We also examine the influence of a perfectly plastic yield stress. A new method to model the preexisting weak zone as a graded fault with remeshing is introduced. The first 400 km of plate convergence is examined during which time there are profound changes in plate boundary dynamics. Initially, topography across the plate boundary is characterized by over 1000 m of uplift close to the trench. Subsequently, a bathymetric depression develops on the overriding plate with an initial subsidence rate of 125 m/Myr for a slab subducting at 2 cm/yr. Tectonic subsidence of the overriding plate is primarily dependent upon the depth of slab penetration. For a plate force of 4×10^(12) N/m, subduction initiates even with a fault shear stress of 3 MPa, the resistance most consistent with seismological observations. However, subduction will not initiate when this fault shear stress is >5 MPa. Our results are consistent with plate reconstructions, which predict the initiation of subduction across preexisting weak zones within oceanic basins.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/98JB01076DOIUNSPECIFIED
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/98JB01076/abstractPublisherUNSPECIFIED
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Gurnis, Michael0000-0003-1704-597X
Additional Information:© 1998 by the American Geophysical Union. Received October 8, 1997; revised February 27, 1998; accepted March 19, 1998. We thank Mark Simons for helpful comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by NSF grant EAR-9614391 and represents contribution 6281 of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology.
Group:Seismological Laboratory
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFEAR-9614391
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences6281
Issue or Number:B8
DOI:10.1029/98JB01076
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20130507-114316802
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20130507-114316802
Official Citation:Toth, J., and M. Gurnis (1998), Dynamics of subduction initiation at preexisting fault zones, J. Geophys. Res., 103(B8), 18053–18067, doi:10.1029/98JB01076.
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:38328
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:07 May 2013 20:55
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:36

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