Reviewing subduction initiation and the origin of plate tectonics: What do we learn from present-day Earth?

Lü, Gang; Zhao, Liang; Chen, Ling; Wan, Bo; Wu, Fu‐Yuan

doi:10.26464/epp2021014

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 159 publications

(377 reference statements)

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“…Thus, the petrologic evidence of strong extension has been used to distinguish spontaneous SI, such as the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana (IBM) subduction zone (Arculus et al., 2015, 2019; Stern, 2004) and plume‐induced SI in the Caribbean (Baes et al., 2016; Gerya et al., 2015; Whattam & Stern, 2015). In contrast, polarity reversal is considered to be a typical induced SI in many categories (Crameri et al., 2020; Lu et al., 2021; Stern, 2004; Stern & Gerya, 2018; Zhang & Leng, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To initiate a subduction zone, the sum of the driving forces must exceed the resisting forces, including fault friction and plate bending (Hall et al., 2003; Lu et al., 2021; McKenzie, 1977) and two steps must be completed: (a) forming a lithospheric‐scale rupture and (b) vertical sinking of an underthrust plate extending to >200 km to become self‐sustained (Lu et al., 2015; Leng & Gurnis, 2015; Thielmann & Kaus, 2012; Zhong & Li, 2019). Our model shows that continuous convergence results in the thickening of the oceanic plateau and high topography.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subduction initiation (SI) is a fundamental process of Earth's plate tectonics (Gurnis et al., 2004; Lu et al., 2021; Stern & Gerya, 2018) that alters the global/regional force balance and may accommodate global plate reorganization (Cawood & Buchan, 2007; Faccenna et al., 2012; Qian et al., 2020; Ulvrova et al., 2019; Van Hinsbergen et al., 2015). However, SI is a transient and destructive process, and the dynamics remain elusive because it leaves a very sparse geological record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the strength of oceanic lithosphere increases rapidly when it ages, negative buoyancy alone may not be sufficient to cause an SI event (Cloetingh et al., 1989; Hall et al., 2003; Lallemand & Arcay, 2021). Other factors, such as preexisting heterogeneities, buoyancy contrasts, have also been proposed to foster the development of SI (Arculus et al., 2019; Baes et al., 2011a, 2011b; Beaussier et al., 2019; Crameri et al., 2020; Gurnis et al., 2004; Hall et al., 2003; Kim et al., 2018; Kiss et al., 2019; Leng & Gurnis, 2015; Lu et al., 2021; Maffione et al., 2015; Mao et al., 2017; Maunder et al., 2020; Niu et al., 2003; Stern & Gerya, 2018; Zhang et al., 2020; Zhong & Li, 2019, 2020; Zhong & Li, 2020; Zhou et al., 2018, 2020). A comprehensive statistical study on SI events that occurred in the last ∼100 Ma indicates that most SI events are induced (Crameri et al., 2020; Lallemand & Arcay, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Oceanic plateaus are widely distributed in the oceans (Figure ). With a high buoyancy (Arrial & Billen, 2013) due to thick crust (21 km on average) and low density (2,840 kg/m 3 on average, Table ), these oceanic plateaus may jam the trench to inhibit subduction and trigger a concomitant SI on the overriding plate side, that is, subduction polarity reversal (Arrial & Billen, 2013; Kerr, 2014; Lu et al., 2021; Stern & Gerya, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Subduction Polarity Reversal Triggered by Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Implications for Induced Subduction Initiation

Sun

Kaus

Yang

et al. 2021

Geophysical Research Letters

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Subduction polarity reversal, an induced subduction initiation (SI), may occur frequently in geological history as exemplified by the Solomon subduction zone. However, the mechanism and dynamics of polarity reversal remain poorly understood. Here, we use 2D thermomechanical numerical models to investigate the dynamics of subduction polarity reversal during oceanic plateau accretion. Model results show that larger and lighter oceanic plateaus favor subduction polarity reversal, which is manifested by the formation of the Solomon subduction zone after the large Ontong Java Plateau collided with the former Melanesian (Manus‐North Solomon‐Vitiaz) trench. We analyze the stress state during the transient SI process and find that rapid extension of the oceanic plateau is concomitant with subduction polarity reversal, thus questioning the use of extensional structures as geological criteria for spontaneous SI.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Subduction Polarity Reversal Triggered by Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Implications for Induced Subduction Initiation

Sun

Kaus

Yang

et al. 2021

Geophysical Research Letters

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Synergies between Venus & Exoplanetary Observations

Way

Ostberg

Foley

et al. 2022

Preprint

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In this chapter we examine how our knowledge of present day Venus can inform terrestrial exoplanetary science and how exoplanetary science can inform our study of Venus. In a superficial way the contrasts in knowledge appear stark. We have been looking at Venus for millennia and studying it via telescopic observations for centuries. Spacecraft observations began with Mariner 2 in 1962 when we confirmed that Venus was a hothouse planet, rather than the tropical paradise science fiction pictured. As long as our level of exploration and understanding of Venus remains far below that of Mars, major questions will endure. On the other hand, exoplanetary science has grown leaps and bounds since the discovery of Pegasus 51b in 1995, not too long after the golden years of Venus spacecraft missions came to an end with the Magellan Mission in 1994. Multi-million to billion dollar/euro exoplanet focused spacecraft missions such as JWST, ARIEL and their successors will be flown in the coming decades. At the same time, excitement about Venus exploration is blooming again with a number of confirmed and proposed missions in the coming decades from India, Russia, Japan, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In this chapter, we review what is known and what we may discover tomorrow in complementary studies of Venus and its exoplanetary cousins.

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Synergies Between Venus & Exoplanetary Observations

et al. 2023

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Here we examine how our knowledge of present day Venus can inform terrestrial exoplanetary science and how exoplanetary science can inform our study of Venus. In a superficial way the contrasts in knowledge appear stark. We have been looking at Venus for millennia and studying it via telescopic observations for centuries. Spacecraft observations began with Mariner 2 in 1962 when we confirmed that Venus was a hothouse planet, rather than the tropical paradise science fiction pictured. As long as our level of exploration and understanding of Venus remains far below that of Mars, major questions will endure. On the other hand, exoplanetary science has grown leaps and bounds since the discovery of Pegasus 51b in 1995, not too long after the golden years of Venus spacecraft missions came to an end with the Magellan Mission in 1994. Multi-million to billion dollar/euro exoplanet focused spacecraft missions such as JWST, and its successors will be flown in the coming decades. At the same time, excitement about Venus exploration is blooming again with a number of confirmed and proposed missions in the coming decades from India, Russia, Japan, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Here we review what is known and what we may discover tomorrow in complementary studies of Venus and its exoplanetary cousins.

show abstract

Reviewing subduction initiation and the origin of plate tectonics: What do we learn from present-day Earth?

Cited by 18 publications

References 159 publications

Subduction Polarity Reversal Triggered by Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Implications for Induced Subduction Initiation

Subduction Polarity Reversal Triggered by Oceanic Plateau Accretion: Implications for Induced Subduction Initiation

Synergies between Venus & Exoplanetary Observations

Synergies Between Venus & Exoplanetary Observations

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