Influence of initial slab dip, inter-plate coupling, and nonlinear
rheology on dynamic weakening at the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary
Abstract
The slab dip and long-term coupling at the plate interface can vary both
between and within subduction zones. How these variations affect the
long-term subduction dynamics and mantle rheology is important for
understanding plate tectonics and its evolution. This paper presents
two-dimensional (2D) models that examine the surface plate velocity and
dynamic weakening of the asthenosphere as a function of six values of
plate interface coupling (3.1x10^20, 1x10^21, 3.1x10^21,
1x10^22, 3.1x10^22, 1.0x10^23 Pa·s) and three values of initial
slab dip (30^o, 45^o, 60^o). The models use a composite
viscosity in the upper mantle and were run for 2000 time-steps. The
instantaneous results show subducting plate speed and dynamic weakening
at the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) increase with decreasing
inter-plate coupling, and peak for models with an initial dip of
45^o. For time-dependent models, subducting plate speed also
increases with decreasing inter-plate coupling. However, models with an
initial slab dip of 30^o produce the fastest subducting plate speeds
over time. The thickness of the dynamically weakened LAB evolves over
the course of subduction. The results indicate the subducting plate
velocity is correlated not only with the imposed inter-plate coupling,
but also with the dynamic weakening of the LAB region. The weaker the
inter-plate coupling, the easier for the slab to descend into the mantle
and dynamically weaken the asthenosphere due to the strain-rate
dependent rheology. This reduced viscous resistance to slab sinking
facilitates subducting plate and mantle flow over time, thus easing the
subduction process of plate tectonics.