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RESEARCH PRODUCT
The Impact of a Very Weak and Thin Upper Asthenosphere on Subduction Motions
R. CarluccioR. CarluccioR. CarluccioLouis MoresiLouis MoresiFabio A. CapitanioBoris J. P. Kaussubject
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciencesSubductionNumerical models010502 geochemistry & geophysics01 natural sciencesGeophysicsMantle convectionAsthenosphereOceanic crustLithosphereTransition zoneTrenchGeneral Earth and Planetary SciencesPetrologyGeology0105 earth and related environmental sciencesdescription
Recent geophysical observations report the presence of a very weak and thin upper asthenosphere underneath subducting oceanic plates at convergent margins. Along these margins, trench migrations are significantly slower than plate convergence rates. We use numerical models to assess the role of a weak upper asthenospheric layer on plate and trench motions. We show that the presence of this layer alone can enhance an advancing trend for the motion of the plate and hamper trench retreat. This mechanism provides a novel and alternative explanation for the slow rates of trench migration and fast-moving plates observed globally at natural subduction zones.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-11-11 | Geophysical Research Letters |