vEGU21 abstract submission

While the onset of deep subduction (i.e., penetration of subducted slabs into the upper mantle to establish sufficient slab pull forces to drive the trailing plates) is synonymous with the beginning of ocean-plate tectonics, the initiation of new subduction zones is key to maintaining ocean-plate tectonics on the more recent Earth. Despite its importance, the driving mechanisms for forming new subduction zones remain enigmatic, especially because subduction zones are thought to form in a wide variety of geodynamic environments. A strongly cross-disciplinary approach and effective communication across the various Earth science disciplines are therefore required to advance our understanding of this phenomenon.

In this session, we aim to bring together researchers across different disciplines contributing to various aspects of subduction zone initiation (SZI). We welcome insights from field observations, IODP/ICDP drilling programs, geochemical and petrological analyses, plate reconstructions, seismology, seismic tomography, numerical and analogue modelling, and other fields, as well…