Mantle dynamics of the Andean Subduction Zone from continent-scale teleseismic S-wave tomography

The Andean Subduction Zone is one of the longest continuous subduction zones on Earth. The relative simplicity of the two-plate system has makes it an ideal natural laboratory to study the dynamics in subduction zones. We measure teleseismic S and SKS traveltime residuals at >1000 seismic stations that have been deployed across South America over the last 30 yr to produce a finite-frequency teleseismic S-wave tomography model of the mantle beneath the Andean Subduction Zone related to the Nazca Plate, spanning from ~5°N to 45°S and from depths of ~130 to 1200 km. Within our model, the subducted Nazca slab is imaged as a fast velocity seismic anomaly. The geometry and amplitude of the Nazca slab anomaly varies along the margin while the slab anomaly continues into the lower mantle along the entirety of the subduction margin. Beneath northern Brazil, the Nazca slab appears to stagnate at ~1000 km depth and extend eastward subhorizontally for >2000 km. South of 25°S the slab anomaly in the lower mantle extends offshore of eastern Argentina, hence we do not image if a similar stagnation occurs. We image several distinct features surrounding the slab including two vertically oriented slow seismic velocity anomalies: one beneath the Peruvian flat slab and the other beneath the Paraná Basin of Brazil. The presence of the latter anomaly directly adjacent to the stagnant Nazca slab suggests that the plume, known as the Paraná Plume, may be a focused upwelling formed in response to slab stagnation in the lower mantle. Additionally, we image a high amplitude fast seismic velocity anomaly beneath the Chile trench at the latitude of the Sierras Pampeanas which extends from ~400 to ~1000 km depth. This anomaly may be the remnants of an older, detached slab, however its relationship with the Nazca-South America subduction zone remains enigmatic.Fil: Rodríguez, Emily E.. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Portner, Daniel Evan. No especifíca;Fil: Beck, Susan L.. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Rocha, Marcelo P.. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Bianchi, Marcelo B.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Assumpção, Marcelo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Ruiz, Mario. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Alvarado, Patricia Monica. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Geofísica y Astronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Condori, Cristobal. Universidade do Brasília; BrasilFil: Lynner, Colton. University Of Delaware; Estados Unido

Comparative constructions of similarity in Northern Samoyedic languages

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the suffixes which are used in Northern Samoyedic languages to build comparative constructions of equality. Depending on the language, the suffixes may perform three functions: word-building, form-building, and inflectional. When they mark the noun, they serve as simulative suffixes and are employed to build object comparison. In the inflectional function, these suffixes mark the verb and are a means of constructing situational comparison. In this case, they signal the formation of a special mood termed the Approximative. This paper provides a detailed description of the Approximative from paradigmatic and syntagmatic perspectives

The Deformational Journey of the Nazca Slab From Seismic Anisotropy

The Andean subduction zone is an excellent place to study deformation within a subducting slab as a function of depth, owing to the varying and well-resolved geometry of the subducting Nazca slab beneath South America. Here we combine the results of source-side shear wave splitting with the latest regional tomography model to isolate intraslab raypaths and determine the spatial distribution of anisotropy within the Nazca slab. We observe that in the upper mantle, the intraslab anisotropy appears strongest where the slab is most contorted, suggesting a strong link between anisotropy and subduction-related slab deformation. We identify a second source of anisotropy (t ∼ 1 s) within the subducting slab at lower mantle depths (660-800 km). The surrounding mantle and transition zone appear largely isotropic, with deep anisotropy concentrated within the slab as it deforms while entering the higher-viscosity lower mantle. Plain Language Summary Few observations exist of how a tectonic plate deforms as it descends deep into the Earth's interior at a subduction zone. Carefully selected seismic waves that mostly travel through this subducting plate, or slab, provide some of the most direct measurements of how the slab behaves as it sinks through the upper mantle (0–410 km) and the mantle transition zone (410–660 km). Studying the polarization of seismic waves allows us to detect and infer the pattern of deformation within the Earth's interior. Using this technique, we find that the Nazca slab in the Andean subduction zone in South America has undergone internal deformation during the process of subduction, in particular where the slab's 3-D shape changes. Furthermore, we find that the deeper Nazca slab (≥660 km) appears to undergo further deformation as it interacts with the stiffer uppermost lower mantle.S. A. and C. M. E. are currently supported by Australian Research Council Grant DE190100062

The Deformational Journey of the Nazca Slab From Seismic Anisotropy

The Andean subduction zone is an excellent place to study deformation within a subducting slab as a function of depth, owing to the varying and well-resolved geometry of the subducting Nazca slab beneath South America. Here we combine the results of source-side shear wave splitting with the latest regional tomography model to isolate intraslab raypaths and determine the spatial distribution of anisotropy within the Nazca slab. We observe that in the upper mantle, the intraslab anisotropy appears strongest where the slab is most contorted, suggesting a strong link between anisotropy and subduction-related slab deformation. We identify a second source of anisotropy (delta t similar to 1 s) within the subducting slab at lower mantle depths (660-800 km). The surrounding mantle and transition zone appear largely isotropic, with deep anisotropy concentrated within the slab as it deforms while entering the higher-viscosity lower mantle.Australian Research Council6 month embargo; first published online 7 May 2020This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

The effect of slab gaps on subduction dynamics and mantle upwelling

Gaps within a subducting plate can alter the surrounding mantle flow field and the overall subduction zone dynamics by allowing hot sub-slab mantle to flow through the gaps and into the mantle wedge. This through-slab flow can produce melting of the slab gap edges as well as significant upwelling that can lead to anomalous alkaline volcanism and/or dynamic uplift in the overriding plate, while the altered mantle flow patterns affect the trench evolution. Numerous geodynamic models have investigated the processes that form slab gaps, but few studies have examined the dynamics of slab gap-altered mantle flow, its effects on trench morphology and kinematics, or the controlling parameters on these processes. Here, laboratory subduction models with a pre-cut gap in a subducting silicone plate are used to explore how slab gap size, and slab gap depth influence the surrounding mantle flow field and trench dynamics. Results suggest that both the vertical extent and the depth of the top (trailing edge) of the slab gap are crucial parameters for modulating overall subduction dynamics. They show that a slab gap, which occurs near the surface and initially comprises 30% of the subducting plate width, can extend enough vertically in the slab to produce significant vertical flow through the gap. Changes to the trench geometry and kinematics are also evident in the models, such that double- and triple-arc geometries are formed during subduction of a shallow slab gap. All of these results are consistent with observations of slab gaps and their induced surface expressions, or the lack thereof, in Eastern Anatolia, East Java, Italy, and Argentina

State of the California Current Ecosystem in 2021: Winter is coming?

In late 2020, models predicted that a strong La Niña would take place for the first time since 2013, and we assessed whether physical and biological indicators in 2021 were similar to past La Niñas in the California Current Ecosystem (CCE). The Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Oceanic Niño Index indeed remained negative throughout 2021; the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation Index, however, remained strongly negative. The seventh largest marine heatwave on record was unexpectedly present from April to the end of 2021; however, similar to past La Niñas, this mass of warm water mostly remained seaward of the continental shelf. As expected from past La Niñas, upwelling and chlorophyll were mostly high and sea surface temperature was low throughout the CCE; however, values were close to average south of Point Conception. Similar to past La Niñas, abundances of lipid-rich, northern copepods off Oregon increased. In northern California, unlike past La Niñas, the body size of North Pacific krill (Euphausia pacifica) was close to average. Predictably, overall krill abundance was above average in far northern California but, unexpectedly, below average south of Cape Mendocino. Off Oregon, similar to past La Niñas, larval abundances of three of six coastal species rose, while five of six southern/offshore taxa decreased in 2021. Off California, as expected based on 2020, Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) were very abundant, while Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax) were low. Similar to past La Niñas, market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) and young of the year (YOY) Pacific Hake (Merluccius pacificus), YOY sanddabs (Citharichthys spp.), and YOY rockfishes (Sebastes spp.) increased. Southern mesopelagic (e.g., Panama lightfish Vinciguerria lucetia, Mexican lampfish Triphoturus mexicanus) larvae decreased as expected but were still well above average, while northern mesopelagic (e.g., northern lampfish Stenobrachius leucopsarus) larvae increased but were still below average. In line with predictions, most monitored bird species had above-average reproduction in Oregon and California. California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pup count, growth, and weight were high given the abundant Anchovy forage. The CCE entered an enduring La Niña in 2021, and assessing the responses of various ecosystem components helped articulate aspects of the system that are well understood and those that need further study