Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 329, Issue 5989, Pages 316-319Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1190366
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Funding
- National Computational Infrastructure National Facility at the Australian National University
- Australian Research Council [DP0771823]
- Monash University
- Australian Academy of Science
- University of Melbourne
- G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
- [DP0878501]
- Australian Research Council [DP0771823, DP0878501] Funding Source: Australian Research Council
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Subduction of oceanic lithosphere occurs through two modes: subducting plate motion and trench migration. Using a global subduction zone data set and three-dimensional numerical subduction models, we show that slab width (W) controls these modes and the partitioning of subduction between them. Subducting plate velocity scales with W-2/3, whereas trench velocity scales with 1/W. These findings explain the Cenozoic slowdown of the Farallon plate and the decrease in subduction partitioning by its decreasing slab width. The change from Sevier-Laramide orogenesis to Basin and Range extension in North America is also explained by slab width; shortening occurred during wide-slab subduction and overriding-plate-driven trench retreat, whereas extension occurred during intermediate to narrow-slab subduction and slab-driven trench retreat.
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