Evolution and diversity of subduction zones controlled by slab width

W. P. Schellart (), J. Freeman, D. R. Stegman, L. Moresi and D. May
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W. P. Schellart: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
J. Freeman: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
D. R. Stegman: School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
L. Moresi: School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
D. May: School of Mathematical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia

Nature, 2007, vol. 446, issue 7133, 308-311

Abstract: Abstract Subducting slabs provide the main driving force for plate motion and flow in the Earth’s mantle1,2,3,4, and geodynamic, seismic and geochemical studies offer insight into slab dynamics and subduction-induced flow3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15. Most previous geodynamic studies treat subduction zones as either infinite in trench-parallel extent3,5,6 (that is, two-dimensional) or finite in width but fixed in space7,16. Subduction zones and their associated slabs are, however, limited in lateral extent (250–7,400 km) and their three-dimensional geometry evolves over time. Here we show that slab width controls two first-order features of plate tectonics—the curvature of subduction zones and their tendency to retreat backwards with time. Using three-dimensional numerical simulations of free subduction, we show that trench migration rate is inversely related to slab width and depends on proximity to a lateral slab edge. These results are consistent with retreat velocities observed globally, with maximum velocities (6–16 cm yr-1) only observed close to slab edges ( 2,000 km) retreat velocities are always slow (

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05615

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