Other
Scientific paper
May 1980
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980e%26psl..47..403e&link_type=abstract
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 47, Issue 3, p. 403-415.
Other
13
Scientific paper
The negative buoyancy force exerted by a subducting oceanic slab depends on its descent velocity, and strongly on its age. For lithosphere close to thermal equilibrium, this force dominates by a large margin the resisting forces arising from friction on the plate boundary and compositional buoyancy. This may result in oceanward migration of the trench, with associated back-arc spreading. However, the strong age dependence of this force, and of the ridge push mean that a horizontal compressive stress is required to continue subduction if changing plate geometry should bring young lithosphere to the trench. Estimates can be made of the slab age, as a function of descent velocity, at which the driving forces are no longer sufficient to overcome a given resisting force. The transition corresponding to a resisting force of 8 × 1012 N/m divides regions displaying back-arc extensional tectonics from those displaying compressional tectonics. This is in good agreement with other estimates of the forces resisting slab motion. It is suggested that an increase in the width of - or the shear stress on - the plate boundary, associated with the subduction of lithosphere to the buoyant side of this transition, can result in a compressional stress on the overriding plate which is great enough to account for cordilleran tectonics.
The proposed reduction in the one of driving forces of plate motion is still consistent with observations, being compensated by the greater relative importance of the push from the ridges.
England Philip
Wortel Rinus
No associations
LandOfFree
Some consequences of the subduction of young slabs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Some consequences of the subduction of young slabs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Some consequences of the subduction of young slabs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1359333