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Kinematic Boundary Conditions Favouring Subduction Initiation at Passive Margins Over Subduction at Mid-oceanic Ridges

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Abstract

We perform numerical modelling to simulate the shortening of an oceanic basin and the adjacent continental margins in order to discuss the relationship between compressional stresses acting on the lithosphere and the time dependent strength of the mid-oceanic ridges within the frame of subduction initiation. We focus on the role of stress regulating mechanisms by testing the stress–strain-rate response to convergence rate, and the thermo-tectonic age of oceanic and continental lithospheres. We find that, upon compression, subduction initiation at passive margin is favoured for thermally thin (Palaeozoic or younger) continental lithospheres (180 km), and for oceanic basins younger than 60 Myr (after rifting). The results also highlight the importance of convergence rate that controls stress distribution and magnitudes in the oceanic lithosphere. Slow convergence (
Original languageEnglish
Article number765893
Pages (from-to)1-15
JournalFrontiers in Earth Science
Volume9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Dec 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The research project was funded by the European Union?s EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 ?Subitop? under Grant Agreement No 674899.

Funding Information:
The research project was funded by the European Union’s EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 “Subitop” under Grant Agreement No 674899.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Auzemery, Willingshofer, Yamato, Duretz and Beekman.

Keywords

  • Alps
  • convergence rate
  • mid-oceanic ridge
  • passive margins
  • subduction initiation

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