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Slab morphology and deformation beneath Izu-Bonin
Haijiang Zhang1,2, Fan Wang3,4, Robert Myhill5
1School of Earth and Space Sciences; Laboratory of Seismology and Physics of Earth's Interior, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China. zhang11@ustc.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|March 23, 2019
Summary
Seismic tomography reveals a complex tear and folding in the Izu-Bonin subducting slab within the mantle transition zone. This structural complexity indicates the slab remains highly viscous, impacting mantle dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Tectonics
Background:
- Subducting slabs significantly influence mantle dynamics and seismic activity.
- Understanding slab structure and rheology is crucial for plate tectonics and earthquake studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To image the detailed structure of the Izu-Bonin subducting slab.
- To investigate slab deformation and rheology in the upper mantle and transition zone.
Main Methods:
- Teleseismic double-difference P-wave tomography was employed.
- High-resolution seismic imaging was used to analyze slab morphology.
Main Results:
- A distinct tear in the Izu-Bonin slab was identified in the mantle transition zone (MTZ).
- Slab folding north of the tear and overturning south of the tear were resolved.
- A zone of reduced P-wave speed above the fold hinge suggests viscous dissipation.
Conclusions:
- The Izu-Bonin slab exhibits localized tearing, shearing, and buckling.
- The slab's complex deformation indicates high viscosity throughout the upper mantle and transition zone.
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