Open AccessPlate force due to bending at subduction zones
Author(s) -
Buffett Bruce A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: solid earth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2006jb004295
Subject(s) - lithosphere , subduction , geology , buoyancy , curvature , convergent boundary , mantle (geology) , force balance , geophysics , mechanics , seismology , oceanic crust , geometry , tectonics , physics , mathematics
Bending of the lithosphere at subduction zones generates stresses that contribute to the force balance on plates. We determine the net horizontal force on subducting plates by imposing a simple kinematic description of strain in the equations that govern the mechanical equilibrium of a thin viscous sheet. The magnitude of the force depends on the velocity, thickness, and curvature of the subducting plate. Using representative values for old oceanic lithosphere, we obtain an effective horizontal force that is nearly 40% of the buoyancy force due to slabs in the upper mantle.