Two main types of subduction zones can be distinguished: (1) those where the subduction hinge migrates away from the upper plate; and (2) those in which the subduction hinge migrates toward the upper plate. Apart from a few exceptions, this distinction seems to apply particularly for W-directed subduction zones and Eor NE-directed subduction zones, respectively. Moreover, the rate of subduction...

[1] Subduction zones are where sediments, oceanic crust, and mantle lithosphere return to and reequilibrate with Earth’s mantle. Subduction zones are interior expressions of Earth’s 55,000 km of convergent plate margins and are the geodynamic system that builds island arcs. Excess density of the mantle lithosphere in subduction zones provides most of the power needed to move the plates while in...

The rate of subduction is larger than the convergence rate along W-directed subduction zones, whereas it is smaller along Eor NE-directed subduction zones. Along Wdirected slabs, the subduction rate is the convergence rate plus the slab retreat rate, which tends to equal the backarc extension rate. Along Eor NE-directed slabs, the subduction rate is decreased by the shortening in the upper plat...

-Seismic energy release is dominated by the underthrusting earthquakes in subduction zones, and this energy release is further concentrated in a few subduction zones. While some subduction zones are characterized by the occurrence of great earthquakes, others are relatively aseismic. This variation in maximum earthquake size between subduction zones is one of the most important features of glob...

Historic earthquake sequences on subduction zones that are similar to the Cascadia subduction zone are used to hypothesize the nature of shallow subduction earthquakes that might occur in the northwestern United States. Based on systematic comparisons of several physical characteristics, including physiography and seismicity, subduction zones that are deemed most similar to the Cascadia subduct...

[1] The association between local maxima in the geoid and subduction zones is examined. While it is well known that subduction zones are associated with broad local maxima in the geoid at spherical harmonic degrees 4–9, there is an impressive correlation between back arc geoid maxima at the 5000 km length scale (i.e., spherical harmonic degrees >9) and subduction zones with the exception of the...

[1] We give an explanation for the polarity, localization, shape, size, and initiation of subduction zones on Earth. By considering a soft, thin, curved lithospheric cap with either elastic or viscous rheology supported by a thick, nearly incompressible mantle, we find two different characteristic subduction geometries arise depending on boundary conditions: (1) plate boundaries where subductio...

The Nankai Trough marks the location where the Philippine Sea Plate begins subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate. The Nankai Trough subduction system has played an important role in causing many catastrophic earthquakes, a phenomenon observed at many other subduction zones (Ando, 1975). Recent studies have established that fluids play a major role in the physical and chemical evolution of subdu...

Subduction zones form dominant tectonic features on the Earth and are the site of large underthrusting earthquakes and explosive arc volcanism. They are also the only locations with deep earthquakes in the Earth’s interior. Major questions remain regarding the dynamics of subduction zones, including aspects such as the role of water in the formation of arc volcanism and deep earthquakes, the in...

[1] Nearly half of all active subduction zones initiated during the Cenozoic. All subduction zones associated with active back arc extension have initiated since the Eocene, hinting that back arc extension may be intimately associated with an interval (several tens of Myr) following subduction initiation. That such a large proportion of subduction zones are young indicates that subduction initi...