Details
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Seiten (von - bis) | 4469-4486 |
| Seitenumfang | 18 |
| Fachzeitschrift | Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems |
| Jahrgang | 18 |
| Ausgabenummer | 12 |
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 2017 |
Abstract
The classical Wilson Cycle concept, describing repeated opening and closing of ocean basins, hypothesizes spontaneous conversion of passive continental margins into subduction zones. This process, however, is impeded by the high strength of passive margins, and it has never occurred in Cenozoic times. Here using thermomechanical models, we show that additional forcing, provided by mantle flow, which is induced by neighboring subduction zones and midmantle slab remnants, can convert a passive margin into a subduction zone. Models suggest that this is a long-term process, thus explaining the lack of Cenozoic examples. We speculate that new subduction zones may form in the next few tens of millions of years along the Argentine passive margin and the U.S. East Coast. Mantle suction force can similarly trigger subduction initiation along large oceanic fracture zones. We propose that new subduction zones will preferentially originate where subduction zones were active in the past, thus explaining the remarkable colocation of subduction zones during at least the last 400 Myr.
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Erdkunde und Planetologie (insg.)
- Geophysik
- Erdkunde und Planetologie (insg.)
- Geochemie und Petrologie
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in: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Jahrgang 18, Nr. 12, 2017, S. 4469-4486.
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Forschung › Peer-Review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mantle Flow as a Trigger for Subduction Initiation: A Missing Element of the Wilson Cycle Concept
AU - Baes, M.
AU - Sobolev, S.V.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - The classical Wilson Cycle concept, describing repeated opening and closing of ocean basins, hypothesizes spontaneous conversion of passive continental margins into subduction zones. This process, however, is impeded by the high strength of passive margins, and it has never occurred in Cenozoic times. Here using thermomechanical models, we show that additional forcing, provided by mantle flow, which is induced by neighboring subduction zones and midmantle slab remnants, can convert a passive margin into a subduction zone. Models suggest that this is a long-term process, thus explaining the lack of Cenozoic examples. We speculate that new subduction zones may form in the next few tens of millions of years along the Argentine passive margin and the U.S. East Coast. Mantle suction force can similarly trigger subduction initiation along large oceanic fracture zones. We propose that new subduction zones will preferentially originate where subduction zones were active in the past, thus explaining the remarkable colocation of subduction zones during at least the last 400 Myr.
AB - The classical Wilson Cycle concept, describing repeated opening and closing of ocean basins, hypothesizes spontaneous conversion of passive continental margins into subduction zones. This process, however, is impeded by the high strength of passive margins, and it has never occurred in Cenozoic times. Here using thermomechanical models, we show that additional forcing, provided by mantle flow, which is induced by neighboring subduction zones and midmantle slab remnants, can convert a passive margin into a subduction zone. Models suggest that this is a long-term process, thus explaining the lack of Cenozoic examples. We speculate that new subduction zones may form in the next few tens of millions of years along the Argentine passive margin and the U.S. East Coast. Mantle suction force can similarly trigger subduction initiation along large oceanic fracture zones. We propose that new subduction zones will preferentially originate where subduction zones were active in the past, thus explaining the remarkable colocation of subduction zones during at least the last 400 Myr.
KW - Wilson Cycle
KW - mantle suction flow
KW - numerical models
KW - passive margin
KW - subduction initiation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85040737793&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/2017GC006962
DO - 10.1002/2017GC006962
M3 - Article
VL - 18
SP - 4469
EP - 4486
JO - Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
JF - Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
SN - 1525-2027
IS - 12
ER -