The long- and short-term dynamics of subduction zones are strongly affected by interface rheology. Current estimates of interface viscosity are based on endmember flow laws or simple mixing models, but the variation of possible materials on the subduction interface theoretically permits viscosity variations of up to five orders of magnitude. To better constrain the range of strength along deep/viscous subduction interfaces, we compiled a global database of rock types and block-and-matrix distributions in exhumed deep subduction interface mélange shear zones. We applied numerical shear experiments to each shear zone to quantify their bulk shear strengths/viscosities. Our results show that natural subduction shear zones have viscosities ranging from ∼1018 to 1020 Pa⋅s and shear strengths of ∼1−100 MPa. The variation among them is dominantly controlled by temperature, but even for shear zones deformed at the same temperature, variations of up to a factor of 50 are observed. These variations are attributed to differences in matrix composition, shear zone width, and block distributions. Our results are consistent with paleopiezometric and force-balance−derived estimates of interface strength, and they confirm the importance of variation in geological inputs and their spatial distribution along the interface for subduction dynamics.
Research Article|
October 14, 2024
Early Publication
Strength of viscous subduction interfaces: A global compilation
Ana Lorena Abila;
Ana Lorena Abila
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Whitney M. Behr;
Whitney M. Behr
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Jonas Ruh
Jonas Ruh
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland2
Institute of Marine Sciences, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Ana Lorena Abila
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Whitney M. Behr
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Jonas Ruh
1
Structural Geology and Tectonics Group, Department of Earth Sciences, ETH Zürich, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland2
Institute of Marine Sciences, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Received:
28 Jun 2024
Revision Received:
23 Sep 2024
Accepted:
01 Oct 2024
First Online:
14 Oct 2024
Online ISSN: 1943-2682
Print ISSN: 0091-7613
© 2024 The Authors
Geology (2024)
Article history
Received:
28 Jun 2024
Revision Received:
23 Sep 2024
Accepted:
01 Oct 2024
First Online:
14 Oct 2024
Citation
Ana Lorena Abila, Whitney M. Behr, Jonas Ruh; Strength of viscous subduction interfaces: A global compilation. Geology 2024; doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G52518.1
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