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.
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.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
08 Jan 2020
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 08 Jan 2020
| 08 Jan 2020
Can subduction initiation at a transform fault be spontaneous?
Geosciences Montpellier, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Univ. Antilles, Montpellier, France
Serge Lallemand
Geosciences Montpellier, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Univ. Antilles, Montpellier, France
Sarah Abecassis
Geosciences Montpellier, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Univ. Antilles, Montpellier, France
Fanny Garel
Geosciences Montpellier, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Univ. Antilles, Montpellier, France
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Cited
36 citations as recorded by crossref.
- 汇聚板块边缘动力学: 进展与挑战 忠. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/SSTe-2024-0185
- Subduction initiation at an oceanic transform fault experiencing compression: Role of the fault structure and of the brittle-ductile transition depth D. Arcay et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118272
- Key geodynamic processes and driving forces of Tethyan evolution Z. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-022-1083-5
- Refertilization of Mantle Peridotites from the Central Indian Ridge: Response to a Geodynamic Transition A. Hazra et al. https://doi.org/10.2113/2021/9706924
- 卡罗琳板块在穆绍海沟的拓展型俯冲起始 春. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/N072024-0168
- An analytical study of initial subduction of the plate based on a bibliometric analysis method spanning 1995–2024 Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2025.1585148
- 特提斯演化的关键动力学过程与驱动力 忠. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/SSTe-2022-0334
- Rapid subduction initiation and magmatism in the Western Pacific driven by internal vertical forces B. Maunder et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15737-4
- Geodynamic and plate kinematic context of South China Sea subduction during Okinawa trough opening and Taiwan orogeny J. Sibuet et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.229050
- Cooling history of the Bay of Islands Complex sub-ophiolitic metamorphic sole constrained by new mica 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology: Tectonic implications and comparison with the Semail sole W. Yan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119269
- Subduction invasion polarity switch from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean: A new geodynamic model of subduction initiation based on the Scotia Sea region W. Schellart et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104277
- Subduction Initiation During Collision‐Induced Subduction Transference: Numerical Modeling and Implications for the Tethyan Evolution X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB019288
- Wedge‐Shaped Southern Indian Continental Margin Without Proper Weakness Hinders Subduction Initiation X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GC009998
- Origin of the Mussau Trench in the Western Pacific: Geochemical and mineralogical constraints from basalts and serpentinized peridotites G. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121798
- Mantle-wedge alteration facilitates intra-oceanic subduction initiation along a pre-existing fault zone M. Izumi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2023.229908
- Long-lived Northern Hemisphere convergence systems driven by upper-mantle thermal inhomogeneity L. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/G51948.1
- A transdisciplinary and community-driven database to unravel subduction zone initiation F. Crameri et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17522-9
- A simple force balance model of subduction initiation Y. Li & M. Gurnis https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggac332
- Ocean-continent subduction cannot be initiated without preceding intra-oceanic subduction! A. Koptev et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.1097922
- A revolution in understanding SE Asia geodynamics since 20.5–18 Ma J. Sibuet et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2024.230397
- Dynamics of convergent plate margins: Progress and challenge Z. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1513-5
- Magmatic ignitor kick-starts subduction initiation J. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.05.023
- Analogue modelling of subduction initiation: a review and perspectives Z. Tong et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2023.2272273
- Subduction initiation from the earliest stages to self-sustained subduction: Insights from the analysis of 70 Cenozoic sites S. Lallemand & D. Arcay https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103779
- Compression at Strike‐Slip Fault Is a Favorable Condition for Subduction Initiation X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102171
- Anomalous Subduction Initiation: Young Under Old Oceanic Lithosphere L. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009549
- Dynamic evolution of competing same-dip double subduction: New perspectives of the Neo-Tethyan plate tectonics A. Roy et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119032
- A new subduction initiation mechanism induced by lateral subduction propagation C. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119768
- Effects of Elasticity on Subduction Initiation: Insight From 2‐D Thermomechanical Models X. Zhou & I. Wada https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024400
- Propagating subduction initiation of the Caroline Plate at the Mussau Trench C. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1442-8
- Plume‐Induced Sinking of Intracontinental Lithospheric Mantle: An Overlooked Mechanism of Subduction Initiation? S. Cloetingh et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009482
- Differentiating induced versus spontaneous subduction initiation using thermomechanical models and metamorphic soles X. Zhou & I. Wada https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24896-x
- Influence of magma-poor versus magma-rich passive margins on subduction initiation A. Auzemery et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2021.11.012
- The location of compression-induced subduction initiation controlled by structural versus thermal inheritance É. Oravecz et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02627-0
- Numerical modeling of subduction: State of the art and future directions T. Gerya https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02416.1
- Magmatic fingerprints of subduction initiation and mature subduction: numerical modelling and observations from the Izu-Bonin-Mariana system S. Ritter et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1286468
36 citations as recorded by crossref.
- 汇聚板块边缘动力学: 进展与挑战 忠. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/SSTe-2024-0185
- Subduction initiation at an oceanic transform fault experiencing compression: Role of the fault structure and of the brittle-ductile transition depth D. Arcay et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118272
- Key geodynamic processes and driving forces of Tethyan evolution Z. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-022-1083-5
- Refertilization of Mantle Peridotites from the Central Indian Ridge: Response to a Geodynamic Transition A. Hazra et al. https://doi.org/10.2113/2021/9706924
- 卡罗琳板块在穆绍海沟的拓展型俯冲起始 春. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/N072024-0168
- An analytical study of initial subduction of the plate based on a bibliometric analysis method spanning 1995–2024 Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2025.1585148
- 特提斯演化的关键动力学过程与驱动力 忠. 李 et al. https://doi.org/10.1360/SSTe-2022-0334
- Rapid subduction initiation and magmatism in the Western Pacific driven by internal vertical forces B. Maunder et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15737-4
- Geodynamic and plate kinematic context of South China Sea subduction during Okinawa trough opening and Taiwan orogeny J. Sibuet et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.229050
- Cooling history of the Bay of Islands Complex sub-ophiolitic metamorphic sole constrained by new mica 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology: Tectonic implications and comparison with the Semail sole W. Yan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119269
- Subduction invasion polarity switch from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean: A new geodynamic model of subduction initiation based on the Scotia Sea region W. Schellart et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104277
- Subduction Initiation During Collision‐Induced Subduction Transference: Numerical Modeling and Implications for the Tethyan Evolution X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB019288
- Wedge‐Shaped Southern Indian Continental Margin Without Proper Weakness Hinders Subduction Initiation X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GC009998
- Origin of the Mussau Trench in the Western Pacific: Geochemical and mineralogical constraints from basalts and serpentinized peridotites G. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2023.121798
- Mantle-wedge alteration facilitates intra-oceanic subduction initiation along a pre-existing fault zone M. Izumi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2023.229908
- Long-lived Northern Hemisphere convergence systems driven by upper-mantle thermal inhomogeneity L. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1130/G51948.1
- A transdisciplinary and community-driven database to unravel subduction zone initiation F. Crameri et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17522-9
- A simple force balance model of subduction initiation Y. Li & M. Gurnis https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggac332
- Ocean-continent subduction cannot be initiated without preceding intra-oceanic subduction! A. Koptev et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.1097922
- A revolution in understanding SE Asia geodynamics since 20.5–18 Ma J. Sibuet et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2024.230397
- Dynamics of convergent plate margins: Progress and challenge Z. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1513-5
- Magmatic ignitor kick-starts subduction initiation J. Yang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.05.023
- Analogue modelling of subduction initiation: a review and perspectives Z. Tong et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2023.2272273
- Subduction initiation from the earliest stages to self-sustained subduction: Insights from the analysis of 70 Cenozoic sites S. Lallemand & D. Arcay https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103779
- Compression at Strike‐Slip Fault Is a Favorable Condition for Subduction Initiation X. Zhong & Z. Li https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102171
- Anomalous Subduction Initiation: Young Under Old Oceanic Lithosphere L. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009549
- Dynamic evolution of competing same-dip double subduction: New perspectives of the Neo-Tethyan plate tectonics A. Roy et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119032
- A new subduction initiation mechanism induced by lateral subduction propagation C. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119768
- Effects of Elasticity on Subduction Initiation: Insight From 2‐D Thermomechanical Models X. Zhou & I. Wada https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JB024400
- Propagating subduction initiation of the Caroline Plate at the Mussau Trench C. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-024-1442-8
- Plume‐Induced Sinking of Intracontinental Lithospheric Mantle: An Overlooked Mechanism of Subduction Initiation? S. Cloetingh et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009482
- Differentiating induced versus spontaneous subduction initiation using thermomechanical models and metamorphic soles X. Zhou & I. Wada https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24896-x
- Influence of magma-poor versus magma-rich passive margins on subduction initiation A. Auzemery et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2021.11.012
- The location of compression-induced subduction initiation controlled by structural versus thermal inheritance É. Oravecz et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02627-0
- Numerical modeling of subduction: State of the art and future directions T. Gerya https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02416.1
- Magmatic fingerprints of subduction initiation and mature subduction: numerical modelling and observations from the Izu-Bonin-Mariana system S. Ritter et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1286468
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 19 Jul 2026
Short summary
We propose a new exploration of the concept of
spontaneouslithospheric 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.
We propose a new exploration of the concept of
spontaneouslithospheric collapse at a transform...
