Three-dimensional necking during viscous slab detachment

Abstract

We study the three-dimensional (3-D) deformation during detachment of a lithospheric slab with simple numerical models using the finite element method. An initially vertical layer of power law viscous fluid mimics the slab and is surrounded by a linear or power law viscous fluid representing asthenospheric mantle. We quantify the impact of slab size and shape (symmetric/asymmetric) on slab detachment and identify two processes that control the lateral (i.e., along-trench) slab deformation: (1) the horizontal deflection of the lateral, vertical slab sides (> 100 km with velocities up to 16 mm/yr) and (2) the propagation of localized thinning (necking) inside the slab (with velocities > 9 cm/yr). The lateral propagation velocity is approximately constant during slab detachment. Larger slabs (here wider than approximately 300 km) detach with rates similar to those predicted by 2-D models, whereas smaller slabs detach slower. Implications for geodynamic processes and interpretations of seismic tomography are discussed.