A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin

Abstract Slab windows represent regions within the mantle that are largely devoid of slab material, facilitating direct communication between the mantle above and below the subducting slab. This unprecedented interaction disrupts the conventional material-energy exchange mechanisms between the subdu...

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Main Authors: Zhang Zhen, Xu dong, Zhao Lintao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86913-z
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author Zhang Zhen
Xu dong
Zhao Lintao
author_facet Zhang Zhen
Xu dong
Zhao Lintao
author_sort Zhang Zhen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Slab windows represent regions within the mantle that are largely devoid of slab material, facilitating direct communication between the mantle above and below the subducting slab. This unprecedented interaction disrupts the conventional material-energy exchange mechanisms between the subducted slab and mantle wedge, giving rise to anomalous heat flow, distinct magmatism, metamorphism, and geophysical features. Geochemical analyses of samples collected from the southern margin of the Parece-Vela Basin have illuminated the magmatic processes associated with a slab window. C20-3 is indicative of a hot and dry mantle upwelling that occurs through the slab window. On the other hand, C20-1 signifies an adakitic rock, which originates from the melting of oceanic crust at the periphery of the slab window. Slightly east of the slab window, C21-1 reveals evidence of a heated depleted mantle, influenced by the hot and dry mantle upwelling through the slab window. Additionally, a common Island Arc Basalt (IAB), denoted as C21-2, was also observed in the island arc region. Topographical data highlights the irregular distribution of numerous seamounts between the West Mariana Ridge and the Parece-Vela Basin spreading center. Seismological records reveal a preponderance of strike-slip earthquakes in the southern seamount region, alongside exceptionally high heat flow measurements at the northwest extremity of this area. The shape of the slab window can be roughly modeled by analyzing the distribution of earthquakes. Collectively, these observations lead us to postulate the existence of a slab window beneath the southern rim of the Parece-Vela Basin, likely attributed to the tearing of the subducting Pacific Plate along the strike-slip fault situated between the Ulithi and Fais Atolls.
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spelling doaj-art-b28c1cc274f44677a5483ddf723ce25e2025-01-19T12:18:38ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-86913-zA slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela BasinZhang Zhen0Xu dong1Zhao Lintao2Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural ResourcesSecond Institute of Oceanography, Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences, Ministry of Natural ResourcesFourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural ResourcesAbstract Slab windows represent regions within the mantle that are largely devoid of slab material, facilitating direct communication between the mantle above and below the subducting slab. This unprecedented interaction disrupts the conventional material-energy exchange mechanisms between the subducted slab and mantle wedge, giving rise to anomalous heat flow, distinct magmatism, metamorphism, and geophysical features. Geochemical analyses of samples collected from the southern margin of the Parece-Vela Basin have illuminated the magmatic processes associated with a slab window. C20-3 is indicative of a hot and dry mantle upwelling that occurs through the slab window. On the other hand, C20-1 signifies an adakitic rock, which originates from the melting of oceanic crust at the periphery of the slab window. Slightly east of the slab window, C21-1 reveals evidence of a heated depleted mantle, influenced by the hot and dry mantle upwelling through the slab window. Additionally, a common Island Arc Basalt (IAB), denoted as C21-2, was also observed in the island arc region. Topographical data highlights the irregular distribution of numerous seamounts between the West Mariana Ridge and the Parece-Vela Basin spreading center. Seismological records reveal a preponderance of strike-slip earthquakes in the southern seamount region, alongside exceptionally high heat flow measurements at the northwest extremity of this area. The shape of the slab window can be roughly modeled by analyzing the distribution of earthquakes. Collectively, these observations lead us to postulate the existence of a slab window beneath the southern rim of the Parece-Vela Basin, likely attributed to the tearing of the subducting Pacific Plate along the strike-slip fault situated between the Ulithi and Fais Atolls.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86913-zSlab WindowSeamountsMariana TrenchParece-Vela Basin
spellingShingle Zhang Zhen
Xu dong
Zhao Lintao
A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
Scientific Reports
Slab Window
Seamounts
Mariana Trench
Parece-Vela Basin
title A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
title_full A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
title_fullStr A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
title_full_unstemmed A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
title_short A slab window in the south rim of the Parece-Vela Basin
title_sort slab window in the south rim of the parece vela basin
topic Slab Window
Seamounts
Mariana Trench
Parece-Vela Basin
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86913-z
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