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Three‐dimensional instantaneous mantle flow induced by subduction
Author(s) -
Piromallo C.,
Becker T. W.,
Funiciello F.,
Faccenna C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2005gl025390
Subject(s) - slab , subduction , mantle (geology) , geology , slab window , mantle wedge , geophysics , toroid , mechanics , seismology , physics , oceanic crust , tectonics , plasma , quantum mechanics
We conduct three‐dimensional subduction experiments by a finite element approach to study flow around slabs, which are prescribed based on a transient stage of upper mantle subduction from a laboratory model. Instantaneous velocity field solutions are examined, focusing on the toroidal vs . poloidal components as a function of boundary conditions, plate width, and viscosity contrast between slab and mantle. We show how the slab‐to‐mantle viscosity ratio determines the strength of toroidal flow, and find that the toroidal flow component peaks for slab/mantle viscosity ratios ∼100, independent of slab width or geometry.