Fore-arc deformation at the transition between collision and subduction: insights from 3-D thermomechanical laboratory experiments

David Boutelier, Onno Oncken, Alexander Cruden

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    23 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Three-dimensional thermomechanical laboratory experiments of arc-continent collision investigate the deformation of the fore arc at the transition between collision and subduction. The deformation of the plates in the collision area propagates into the subduction-collision transition zone via along-strike coupling of the neighboring segments of the plate boundary. In our experiments, the largest along-strike gradient of trench-perpendicular compression does not produce sufficiently localized shear strain in the transition zone to form a strike-slip system because of the fast propagation of arc lithosphere failure. Deformation is continuous along-strike, but the deformation mechanism is three-dimensional. Progressive along-strike structural variations arise because coupling between neighboring segments induces either advanced or delayed failure of the arc lithosphere and passive margin.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1 - 15
    Number of pages15
    JournalTectonics
    Volume31
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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