Asymmetric dynamics at subduction zones derived from plate kinematic constraints

Ficini, Eleonora; Cuffaro, Marco; Doglioni, Carlo

doi:10.1016/j.gr.2019.07.013

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…At the bottom and left-hand side of the numerical domain, to simulate "open" boundary conditions, we prescribed the lithostatic pressure as a boundary condition for the stress using the "initial lithostatic pressure" plugin; this allowed the material to flow in and out according to the flow induced by the moving plate (Figure 4). Prescribed boundary conditions (i.e., imposed velocity) were applied to the right boundary of the numerical domain (Figure 4), simulating that of [65], according to [66].…”

Section: Numerical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Free slip boundary conditions were applied to the top of the numerical domain, whereas "open" boundary conditions were simulated at the left and bottom sides using the "initial lithostatic pressure" plugin that allowed the material to flow in and out according to the flow induced by the moving plate. Prescribed boundary conditions were implemented at the right boundary of the numerical domain, simulating that of [65], according to [66].…”

Section: Numerical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The velocity applied to the right boundary corresponds to the subduction velocity (V S ), calculated at Lau-Basin as in [66].…”

Section: Numerical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Back-Arc Spreading Centers and Superfast Subduction: The Case of the Northern Lau Basin (SW Pacific Ocean)

et al. 2022

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The Lau Basin is a back-arc region formed by the subduction of the Pacific plate below the Australian plate. We studied the regional morphology of the back-arc spreading centers of the Northern Lau basin, and we compared it to their relative spreading rates. We obtained a value of 60.2 mm/year along the Northwest Lau Spreading Centers based on magnetic data, improving on the spreading rate literature data. Furthermore, we carried out numerical models including visco-plastic rheologies and prescribed surface velocities, in an upper plate-fixed reference frame. Although our thermal model points to a high temperature only near the Tonga trench, the model of the second invariant of the strain rate shows active deformation in the mantle from the Tonga trench to ~800 km along the overriding plate. This explains the anomalous magmatic production along all the volcanic centers in the Northern Lau Back-Arc Basin.

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Section: Numerical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Numerical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Back-Arc Spreading Centers and Superfast Subduction: The Case of the Northern Lau Basin (SW Pacific Ocean)

et al. 2022

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“…Conversely, back-arc compression is observed in Chilean-like subduction zones, with shallow-dip Wadati-Benioff zone, shallow trenches and crustal melting [215]. The first kind of subductions are mainly oriented to west, while the second kind to east [207,[216][217][218][219]. When comparing westerly versus easterly directed subduction zones, other differences also arise.…”

Section: Plate Motionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since ∼214 km 3 /year of lithosphere are currently subducting below slabs with mainly W-directed slabs whereas only ∼88 km 3 /year are subducting below subduction zones with mainly E to NE-directed slabs, we would expect that about 120 km 3 /year of material moves from W to E within the mantle, compensating the gradient in slab recycling. This leads to a global "eastward" mantle flow (after [219]) Fig. 23 Left, the mainstream of plate motions in the shallow hot spots reference frame (after [416]).…”

Section: The Global Tectonic Patternmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth’s gradients as the engine of plate tectonics and earthquakes

Zaccagnino

Doglioni

2022

Riv. Nuovo Cim.

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The processes occurring on the Earth are controlled by several gradients. The surface of the Planet is featured by complex geological patterns produced by both endogenous and exogenous phenomena. The lack of direct investigations still makes Earth interior poorly understood and prevents complete clarification of the mechanisms ruling geodynamics and tectonics. Nowadays, slab-pull is considered the force with the greatest impact on plate motions, but also ridge-push, trench suction and physico-chemical heterogeneities are thought to play an important role. However, several counterarguments suggest that these mechanisms are insufficient to explain plate tectonics. While large part of the scientific community agreed that either bottom-up or top-down driven mantle convection is the cause of lithospheric displacements, geodetic observations and geodynamic models also support an astronomical contribution to plate motions. Moreover, several evidences indicate that tectonic plates follow a mainstream and how the lithosphere has a roughly westerly drift with respect to the asthenospheric mantle. An even more wide-open debate rises for the occurrence of earthquakes, which should be framed within the different tectonic setting, which affects the spatial and temporal properties of seismicity. In extensional regions, the dominant source of energy is given by gravitational potential, whereas in strike-slip faults and thrusts, earthquakes mainly dissipate elastic potential energy indeed. In the present article, a review is given of the most significant results of the last years in the field of geodynamics and earthquake geology following the common thread of gradients, which ultimately shape our planet.

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