Subduction

How has the Gibraltar slab influenced the Alboran domain deformation?

Pedro J. Gea, edited by Zhibin Lei and edited by Michaël Pons July 5, 2023

Figure 1. Topography of the Gibraltar Arc region. The shaded area indicates the position of positive seismic velocity anomaly supposedly representing the position of the slab at 270 km depth from seismic tomography (Amaru, 2007). The purple line shows the position of the modelled cross-section for the model shown in this blog. Blue dots indicate the regional intermediate seismicity (between 40 km ...[Read More]

Reflections on the geological and geodynamic evolution of the Southern Central Andes

Matías Barrionuevo and edited by Michaël Pons June 21, 2023

Sketch showing the flat slab configuration, where the Nazca plate subducts beneath the South American plate with a subhorizontal angle (modified from Sanchez et al., 2019)

Reflections on the geological and geodynamic evolution of the Southern Central Andes

Geodynamic data-driven modelling: bridging the gap between observations and numerical models

Constanza Rodriguez Piceda and edited by Michaël Pons April 26, 2023

Application of lubrication theory in understanding subduction interface dynamics

Giridas Maiti August 3, 2022

Figure 1. Analogy of a) subduction interface with b) engineering lubrication device (source: machinerylubrication.com).

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]