A simplified analysis of parameters controlling dewatering in accretionary prisms

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

One of the many dynamic geologic processes taking place at subduction zones is the compaction-driven dewatering of seafloor sediments as they are accreted to the overriding plate. The rate of dewatering is equal to the divergence of the sediment matrix velocity field. This rate can be estimated analytically if simplifying assumptions are made about the geometry of the prism and motion of the sediments. The analytical expression depends only on the sediment accretion velocity, thickness of the accreted section, prism taper angle, and sediment porosity distribution. A sensitivity analysis of the solution shows that the fluid production distribution is relatively insensitive to the sediment porosity distribution. However, the solution is very sensitive to the taper angle of the wedge. High-angle wedges expel almost all of the incoming water within 20 km, while low-angle wedges may retain a significant fraction of the incoming water for 50 or more kilometers. Thickness of the incoming section is also important. Dewatering of thin accreted sections is more concentrated near the toe of the wedge. Analyses of transects through the Northern Barbados, Makran, Vancouver, and Nankai accretionary prisms illustrate a range of dewatering rates and spatial distributions of dewatering.

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