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Slab tearing and segmented subduction termination driven by transform tectonics
Brandon Shuck1,2, Brian Boston3, Suzanne M Carbotte2
1Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Science Advances
|September 24, 2025
Summary
Mid-ocean ridges approaching trenches cause subduction termination and slab detachment. This study reveals how transform boundaries drive laterally diachronous slab fragmentation and subduction cessation.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Tectonics
- Geology
Background:
- Subduction termination occurs when buoyant mid-ocean ridge lithosphere resists subduction, causing slab detachment and plate boundary reconfiguration.
- The spatial and temporal dynamics of slab tearing during subduction termination are poorly understood due to limited modern examples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an actively fragmenting subduction system at northern Cascadia's ridge-trench-fault triple junction.
- To understand the imminent subduction termination and associated slab fragmentation processes.
Main Methods:
- Integration of new seismic imaging with regional seismicity data.
- Analysis of a ridge-trench-fault triple junction system.
Main Results:
- A broad shear-zone initiated ~4 million years ago, exploiting oceanic lithosphere fabrics.
- Progressive localization of the shear-zone into a transform boundary, severing an oceanic microplate.
- Imaging of trench-parallel slab tears offset by the transform boundary, indicating lateral tear propagation.
Conclusions:
- Transform boundaries drive laterally diachronous slab fragmentation and subduction termination.
- The Cascadia subduction system provides a modern example of imminent subduction termination.
- Slab tears facilitate microplate decoupling while allowing adjacent subduction to continue.
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