Solid Earth
Solid Earth
SE
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-37-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-11-37-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
08 Jan 2020
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 08 Jan 2020

Can subduction initiation at a transform fault be spontaneous?

Diane Arcay, Serge Lallemand, Sarah Abecassis, and Fanny Garel

Viewed

Total article views: 8,544 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
6,761 1,627 156 8,544 550 164 196
  • HTML: 6,761
  • PDF: 1,627
  • XML: 156
  • Total: 8,544
  • Supplement: 550
  • BibTeX: 164
  • EndNote: 196
Views and downloads (calculated since 23 Apr 2019)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 23 Apr 2019)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 8,544 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 7,427 with geography defined and 1,117 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 23 Apr 2026
Download
Short summary
We propose a new exploration of the concept of spontaneous lithospheric collapse at a transform fault (TF) by performing a large study of conditions allowing instability of the thicker plate using 2-D thermomechanical simulations. Spontaneous subduction is modelled only if extreme mechanical conditions are assumed. We conclude that spontaneous collapse of the thick older plate at a TF evolving into mature subduction is an unlikely process of subduction initiation at modern Earth conditions.
Read more
Share