Plate interface lubrication is essential for stabilization and continuation of subduction process for million of years. The magnitude of plate interface lubrication determines transfer of stress between two converging plates, topography of mountain belts, transportation of volatiles to the mantle, and return flow of high to ultra-high pressure rocks to the earth’s surface. In this week’s blog, I ...[Read More]
Application of lubrication theory in understanding subduction interface dynamics
Figure 1. Analogy of a) subduction interface with b) engineering lubrication device (source: machinerylubrication.com).