Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins

Abstract In Southeast Asia, emerging subduction zones often appear to begin at the corners of small oceanic basins, which have a triangular‐indenter continent–ocean boundary geometry. To investigate the influence of a triangular corner on subduction initiation, we performed a series of three‐dimensi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Miao Dong, Tianyao Hao, Yue Li, Jian Zhang, Gui Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107440
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849314125811810304
author Miao Dong
Tianyao Hao
Yue Li
Jian Zhang
Gui Fang
author_facet Miao Dong
Tianyao Hao
Yue Li
Jian Zhang
Gui Fang
author_sort Miao Dong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In Southeast Asia, emerging subduction zones often appear to begin at the corners of small oceanic basins, which have a triangular‐indenter continent–ocean boundary geometry. To investigate the influence of a triangular corner on subduction initiation, we performed a series of three‐dimensional numerical simulations with varying corner angles and base lengths. The results show that the apex of the corner constitutes the initial location of subduction, irrespective of the angle or the extent of the corner. Smaller angle corners are more likely to facilitate subduction initiation. At the same time, wide acute angle corners are difficult to form. Our findings suggest that triangular corner structures may facilitate subduction initiation in smaller basins; however, the role such corners in subduction initiation is limited in larger basins. Our results emphasize the importance of accounting for the three‐dimensional geometry of a subduction zone when examining its subduction dynamics and geological features.
format Article
id doaj-art-a988b75e9f71425e80ea217de3620dd3
institution Kabale University
issn 0094-8276
1944-8007
language English
publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-a988b75e9f71425e80ea217de3620dd32025-08-20T03:52:32ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072024-01-01512n/an/a10.1029/2023GL107440Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic BasinsMiao Dong0Tianyao Hao1Yue Li2Jian Zhang3Gui Fang4Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resource Research Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaKey Laboratory of Petroleum Resource Research Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaKey Laboratory of Petroleum Resource Research Institute of Geology and Geophysics Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaPetroChina Hangzhou Research Institute of Geology Hangzhou ChinaAbstract In Southeast Asia, emerging subduction zones often appear to begin at the corners of small oceanic basins, which have a triangular‐indenter continent–ocean boundary geometry. To investigate the influence of a triangular corner on subduction initiation, we performed a series of three‐dimensional numerical simulations with varying corner angles and base lengths. The results show that the apex of the corner constitutes the initial location of subduction, irrespective of the angle or the extent of the corner. Smaller angle corners are more likely to facilitate subduction initiation. At the same time, wide acute angle corners are difficult to form. Our findings suggest that triangular corner structures may facilitate subduction initiation in smaller basins; however, the role such corners in subduction initiation is limited in larger basins. Our results emphasize the importance of accounting for the three‐dimensional geometry of a subduction zone when examining its subduction dynamics and geological features.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107440
spellingShingle Miao Dong
Tianyao Hao
Yue Li
Jian Zhang
Gui Fang
Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
Geophysical Research Letters
title Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
title_full Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
title_fullStr Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
title_full_unstemmed Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
title_short Subduction Initiation at the Corner of Small Oceanic Basins
title_sort subduction initiation at the corner of small oceanic basins
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL107440
work_keys_str_mv AT miaodong subductioninitiationatthecornerofsmalloceanicbasins
AT tianyaohao subductioninitiationatthecornerofsmalloceanicbasins
AT yueli subductioninitiationatthecornerofsmalloceanicbasins
AT jianzhang subductioninitiationatthecornerofsmalloceanicbasins
AT guifang subductioninitiationatthecornerofsmalloceanicbasins