The effects of viscous stressed and mantle velocities on subduction : finite difference modeling

Abstract

This thesis presents a two-dimensional finite-difference model of subduction, which is used to explore the characteristics of subduction that are most closely related to deformation in the overriding plate. The model focuses on how the angle, a, at which the slab subducts and the rate, Vr , at which the subduction boundary "retreats" are affected by the negative buoyancy of the subducting lithospheric slab and the viscous forces that arise where the mantle and subducting slab are in motion relative to one another ...