Ongoing post-subduction deformation in a complex mantle transition zone
beneath Borneo.
Abstract
Subduction termination remains poorly understood. Sabah, Malaysia (in
northern Borneo) is a prime study location due to its subduction-rich
history. We investigate the impact of subduction on Sabah’s mantle
transition zone via P-to-S receiver function imaging. Receiver functions
are computed using high resolution passive seismic data from the
northern Borneo Orogeny Seismic Survey (nBOSS), MetMalaysia and KalNet
arrays. Stacking of ~1800 receiver functions
reveals considerable complexity, including a low amplitude 410 km
discontinuity in north-western Sabah and two distinct discontinuities at
depths ~675 km and ~735 km in
eastern Sabah. Since 2019, three deep (>600 km)
earthquakes have occurred near these discontinuities. We attribute these
observations to subducted Proto-South China Sea slab material settling
at the base of the mantle transition zone, introducing cool, hydrous
oceanic material with a high-basalt fraction to the mantle, thus
providing an interface for deep seismicity, and facilitating garnet
phase transitions at 600-700 km depth.