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Science 19 October 2001:
Vol. 294. no. 5542, pp. 578 - 580
DOI: 10.1126/science.1063891
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Reports
The Initiation of Subduction: Criticality by Addition of Water?
Klaus Regenauer-Lieb,1*
Dave A. Yuen,2
Joy Branlund3
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.
1 Institute of Geophysics, Eidgenössische
Technische Hochschule-Hönggerberg, Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
2 Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and Department
of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
55415-1227, USA.
3 Southwestern Illinois College,
4950 Maryville Road, Granite City, IL 62040-2699, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
klaus{at}tomo.ig.erdw.ethz.ch
Read the Full Text
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Mineralogical Magazine
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