Small-scale convection in a plume-fed low-viscosity layer beneath a moving plate

Two-dimensional simulations using a thermomechanical model based on a finite-difference method on a staggered grid and a marker in cell method are performed to study the plume-lithosphere interaction beneath moving plates. The plate and the convective mantle are modelled as a homogeneous peridotite with a Newtonian temperature- and pressure-dependent viscosity. A constant velocity, ranging from 5 to 12.5 cm yr−1, is imposed at the top of the plate. Plumes are generated by imposing a thermal anomaly of 150 to 350 K on a 50 km wide domain at the base of the model (700 km depth); the plate atop this thermal anomaly is 40 Myr old. We analyse (1) the kinematics of the plume as it impacts the moving plate, (2) the dynamics of time-dependent small-scale convection (SSC) instabilities developing in the low-viscosity layer formed by spreading of hot plume material at the base of the lithosphere and (3) the resulting thermal rejuvenation of the lithosphere. The spreading of the plume material at the base of the lithosphere, characterized by the ratio between the maximum down- and upstream horizontal (dimensionless) velocities in the plume-fed sublithospheric layer, Peup/Pedown depends on the ratio between the maximum plume upwelling velocity and the plate velocity, Peplume/Peplate. For fast plate velocities and sluggish plumes (low Peplume/Peplate), plate motion drags most plume material and downstream flow is dominant. As Peplume/Peplate increases, an increasing part of the plume material flows upstream. SSC systematically develops in the plume-fed sublithospheric layer, downstream from the plume. Onset time of SSC decreases with the Rayleigh number. For vigorous plumes, it does not depend on plate velocity. For more sluggish plumes, however, variations in the plume spreading behaviour at the base of the lithosphere result in a decrease in the onset time of SSCs with increasing plate velocity. In any case, SSC results in uplift of the isotherm 1573 K by up to 20 km relative to its initial equilibrium depth at the impact poin

Modelling the interplate domain in thermo-mechanical simulations of subduction: Critical effects of resolution and rheology, and consequences on wet mantle melting

International audienceThe present study aims at better deciphering the different mechanisms involved in the functioning of the subduction interplate. A 2D thermo-mechanical model is used to simulate a subduction channel, made of oceanic crust, free to evolve. Convergence at constant rate is imposed under a 100 km thick upper plate. Pseudo-brittle and non-Newtonian behaviours are modelled. The influence of the subduction channel strength, parameterized by the difference in activation energy between crust and mantle () is investigated to examine in detail the variations in depth of the subduction plane down-dip extent, . First, simulations show that numerical resolution may be responsible for an artificial and significant shallowing of if the weak crustal layer is not correctly resolved. Second, if the age of the subducting plate is 100 Myr, subduction occurs for any . The stiffer the crust is, that is, the lower is, the shallower is (60 km depth if kJ/mol) and the hotter the fore-arc base is. Conversely, imposing a very weak subduction channel ( J/mol) leads there to an extreme mantle wedge cooling and inhibits mantle melting in wet conditions. Partial kinematic coupling at the fore-arc base occurs if kJ/mol. If the incoming plate is 20 Myr old, subduction can occur under the conditions that the crust is either stiff and denser than the mantle, or weak and buoyant. In the latter condition, cold crust plumes rise from the subduction channel and ascend through the upper lithosphere, triggering (1) partial kinematic coupling under the fore-arc, (2) fore-arc lithosphere cooling, and (3) partial or complete hindrance of wet mantle melting. then ranges from 50 to more than 250 km depth and is time-dependent if crust plumes form. Finally, subduction plane dynamics is intimately linked to the regime of subduction-induced corner flow. Two different intervals of are underlined: 80–120 kJ/mol to reproduce the range of slab surface temperature inferred from geothermometry, and 10–40 kJ/mol to reproduce the shallow hot mantle wedge core inferred from conditions of last equilibration of near-primary arc magmas and seismic tomographies. Therefore, an extra process controlling mantle wedge dynamics is needed to satisfy simultaneously the aforementioned observations. A mantle viscosity reduction, by a factor 4–20, caused by metasomatism in the mantle wedge is proposed. From these results, I conclude that the subduction channel down-dip extent, , should depend on the subduction setting, to be consistent with the observed variability of sub-arc depths of the subducting plate surface

Various modes of oceanic subduction initiation in a modern Earth

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Subduction initiation from the earliest stages to self-sustained subduction: Insights from the analysis of 70 Cenozoic sites

International audienceTo address the question of the initiation and mechanisms involved in the process of subduction zone formation, we explored most of the available evidence for the subduction initiation (SI) during the Cenozoic. For this, we targeted a total of 70 candidate sites for subduction initiation cumulating ~70,000 km of trench, two thirds of which are still active and a majority still immature. Our strategy is to define four stages reached for each subduction initiation site (SIS) from the incipient-diffuse stage through incipient-localized stage and early arc magma production to self-sustained subduction. We have paid special attention to prematurely extinguished, i.e., aborted, subduction attempts in order to better understand the reasons for the termination of the process, and thus to clarify the conditions of success. The failure of SI results from a combination of hindering parameters (e.g., lithosphere cooling, frictional resistance, unfavorable age contrasts for intra-oceanic SISs) and insufficient external forcings (e.g., too low convergence velocity). From this comprehensive study, we find that new subduction zones regularly nucleate, at a mean rate of about once every Myr, and with a success rate of more than 70% to reach subduction maturity, generally in less than ~15 Myr, ~3-8 Myr for the shortest time between the very early stage and the self-sustained stage. A majority forms at the transition between an ocean and a continent, plateau or volcanic arc, demonstrating that large differences in composition, topography and/or lithospheric weaknesses favor the localization of the strain. Lithospheric forces are required to ensure the success of the process in the early (immature) stages, with the help of mantle forces in a third of the cases. Multiple triggers are common. Stress during the SI process is compressive in most, if not all, cases and oriented obliquely to the nascent plate boundary in more than half of the cases. The incipient plate boundary generally reactivates an old lithospheric fault, most often with a change in its kinematics, i.e., conversion of a transform plate boundary, a former normal or a detachment fault, or even a former spreading center. Sometimes, the new lithospheric fault reactivates a former subduction fault. There is no rule concerning the age of the subducting plate which varies from 0 to 140 Ma in the examples studied. In the same vein, the subducting plate is not necessarily older than the overriding plate when it is oceanic. Both situations are equally observed

Overriding plate velocity control on surface topography in 2-d models of subduction zones

International audienceWe study the dynamically induced flexural topography in subduction numerical mechanical models. We focus on the topographic changes at the overriding plate (OP) surface induced by variations in OP kinematics, particularly when the subducting plate (SP) has a stationary motion after having reached the rigid base of the upper mantle. Our models consist of two viscoelastic plates with free surfaces and an isoviscous mantle. Friction is imposed along the planar subduction interface. We first characterize the main topographic features at a constant OP velocity, using spatial definitions based on geometrical estimations of the volcanic arc position. The models exhibit the formation of a bulge in the forearc area followed landwards by a depression and a smaller second bulge, both bracketing the arc region. The steady‐state distance to the trench of these features increases with OP velocity. Their amplitude is affected by the far‐field OP tectonic regime that depends on kinematics, and plates and subduction interface strength. We next test the effect of sudden changes in OP velocity. An OP acceleration yields a transient topographic tilt, during which the outer forearc quickly subsides whereas the arc region uplifts, and that is followed by reverse slower motions. An OP slowdown induces opposite motions. The rates of elevation change during the tilt are approximately proportional to velocity variations and mainly sensitive to the SP strength. The rates are higher than 0.1 mm/yr for velocity changes higher than 1 cm/yr. We suggest that topographic accommodations of OP velocity changes should be considered when quantifying nonisostatic topography

Subduction initiation at an oceanic transform fault experiencing compression: Role of the fault structure and of the brittle-ductile transition depth

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How high to ultra-high temperature terranes form

International audience<p>Long-lived high- to ultra-high temperature (HT-UHT) terranes formed mostly during the Paleo-Proterozoic and are often associated to supercontinent cycles. Yet the detailed processes and conditions involved in their formation remain largely unresolved. Here we highlight the importance of the specific geothermal conditions necessary to form migmatitic to granulitic crusts. An analytical resolution of the heat equation highlights the interdependency of the thermal parameters controlling the crustal geotherm, i.e. the Moho temperature, when deformation occurs at thermal equilibrium. We further perform thermo-mechanical experiments mimicking an orogenic cycle, from shortening to gravitational collapse, to study the effect of deformation velocity that affects the crustal thermal equilibrium. We show that the formation of HT-UHT terranes is promoted by an elevated radiogenic heat production in the crust. Finally, the interplay between the thermal parameters and the orogenic cycle duration explain the difference in orogenic style through time and why some terranes are preferentially granulitic or migmatitic.</p&gt

Influence de l'eau sur les interactions lithosphère-asthénosphère dans les zones de subduction

Les zones de subduction sont le siège d interactions thermique, mécanique et chimique entre plaque plongeante, manteau supérieur et plaque chevauchante. Les conditions de ce couplage sont étudiées à l aide de simulations numériques à deux dimensions. La rhéologie simulée est pseudo-cassante ou ductile, selon la pression, température, taux de déformation et composition. Les transferts d eau sont calculés dynamiquement en s appuyant sur des diagrammes de phase. La déshydratation se produit lors de l éclogitisation de la croûte océanique et de la déstabilisation de la serpentine présente dans la plaque avant subduction. L hydratation générée est continue, sur environ 150 km de large et plus de 80 km d épaisseur. Deux modèles de dépendances en eau de la rhéologie sont testés. Suivant le premier, la chute de résistance des roches hydratées dépend du monde d assimilation de l eau (dissolution ou formation de phases hydratées). L influence de l eau est étudiée en faisant varier l amplitude de la perte de résistance (facteur fnu). Si fnu 20, des cellules convectives apparaissent et affinent la lithosphère sur plus de 70 km d épaisseur en moins de 15 Ma. Le mécanisme érosif est contrôlé par un niveau de découplage associé au changement de mode d absorption de l a=eau. Dans le second modèle d effet mécanique de l eau, la résistance du manteau hydraté ne dépend plus du mode d assimilation du fluide. L amincissement de la plaque supérieure se produit alors dès que fnu > 3 par convection secondaire.NICE-BU Sciences (060882101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Can subduction initiation at a transform fault be spontaneous?

International audienceWe present an extensive parametric exploration of the feasibility of “spontaneous” subduction initiation, i.e., lithospheric gravitational collapse without any external forcing, at a transform fault (TF). We first seek candidates from recent subduction initiation events at an oceanic TF that could fulfill the criteria of spontaneous subduction and retain three natural cases: Izu–Bonin–Mariana, Yap, and Matthew and Hunter. We next perform an extensive exploration of conditions allowing for the spontaneous gravitational sinking of the older oceanic plate at a TF using 2-D thermomechanical simulations. Our parametric study aims at better delimiting the ranges of mechanical properties necessary to achieve the old plate sinking (OPS). The explored parameter set includes the following: crust and TF densities, brittle and ductile rheologies, and the width of the weakened region around the TF. We focus on characterizing the OPS conditions in terms of (1) the reasonable vs. unrealistic values of the mechanical parameters and (2) a comparison to modern cases of subduction initiation in a TF setting. When modeled, OPS initiates following one of two distinct modes, depending mainly on the thickness of the overlying younger plate. The asthenosphere may rise up to the surface above the sinking old plate, provided that the younger plate remains motionless (verified for ages ≥5 Myr, mode 1). For lower younger plate ages (typically ≤2 Myr), the younger plate is dragged toward the older plate, resulting in a double-sided subduction (mode 2). When triggered, spontaneous OPS is extremely fast. The parameters that exert the strongest control over whether OPS can occur or not are the brittle properties of the shallow part of the lithosphere, which affect the plate resistance to bending, the distance away from the TF over which weakening is expected, and the crust density. We find that at least one mechanical parameter has to be assigned an unrealistic value and at least two other ones must be set to extreme ranges to achieve OPS, which we do not consider realistic. Furthermore, we point out inconsistencies between the processes and consequences of lithospheric instability, as modeled in our experiments and geological observations of subduction infancy, for the three natural candidates of subduction initiation by spontaneous OPS. We conclude that spontaneous instability of the thick older plate at a TF evolving into mature subduction is an unlikely process of subduction initiation in modern Earth conditions

How does a subduction initiate at an oceanic transform fault? Counter-intuitive insights from numerical experiments

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