Nature Communications (Jul 2021)

Differentiating induced versus spontaneous subduction initiation using thermomechanical models and metamorphic soles

  • Xin Zhou,
  • Ikuko Wada

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24896-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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The mechanism of subduction initiation is a key to modern plate tectonics. Here, using numerical modeling and geological observations, the authors find that the majority of active and paleo subduction zones with metamorphic soles likely formed during induced subduction initiation that involved a young overriding plate.