Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Understanding the interaction of multiscale mantle flows at subduction zones through multidisciplinary studies

International Conference on Geology

June 22-23, 2015 Florida, USA

Haiying Gao

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Geol Geosci

Abstract :

The deployment of onshore and offshore geophysical instruments has brought a new level of geophysical observations of the subduction zones, which also provides constraints and motivations for many related studies. Subduction contributes to circulation and the thermal-chemical evolution of the mantle on multiple scales. The sinking lithosphere drives a mode of large-scale plate-driven motion throughout the entire upper mantle at the order of 1000 km. Buoyancy supplied from hydrous input and/or sediments from above the slab have been attributed to smaller scale motion with length scale <5 km. Outstanding questions for the subduction zones include deformation and hydration of incoming oceanic plates prior to and after subduction, segmentation of the subducting slab accretionary wedge, and arc along strike, dehydration of the slab, serpentinization of the mantle wedge, melting processes, volcanism, and seismicity. This session brings together researchers in seismology, geodesy, geodynamics, petrology, and geochemistry to share recent progress in our understanding of the subduction processes.