Progress in numerical modeling of subducting plate dynamics

The core concerns of plate tectonics theory are the dynamics of subducting plates, which can be studied by integrating multidisciplinary fields such as seismology, mineral physics, rock geochemistry, geological formation studies, sedimentology, and numerical simulations. By establishing a theoretica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science China. Earth sciences 2018-12, Vol.61 (12), p.1761-1774
Main Authors: Leng, Wei, Huang, Liangzhi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer simulation
Continuous improvement
Dynamic structural analysis
Dynamics
Earth
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth mantle
Earth Sciences
Energy conservation
Evolution
Geochemistry
Geology
Geophysics
Lower mantle
Magma
Mathematical models
Modelling
Momentum
Numerical methods
Numerical models
Numerical simulations
Physics
Plate tectonics
Progress
Sedimentology
Seismology
Simulation
Subduction
Subduction (geology)
Tectonics
Thermal structure
Transition zone
Upper mantle
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Summary:The core concerns of plate tectonics theory are the dynamics of subducting plates, which can be studied by integrating multidisciplinary fields such as seismology, mineral physics, rock geochemistry, geological formation studies, sedimentology, and numerical simulations. By establishing a theoretical model and solving it with numerical methods, one can replicate the dynamic effects of a subducting plate, quantifying its evolution and the surface response. Simulations can also explain the observations and experimental results of other disciplines. Therefore, numerical models are among the most important tools for studying the dynamics of subducting plates. This paper provides a review on recent advances in the numerical modeling of subducting plate dynamics. It covers various aspects, namely, the origin of plate tectonics, the initiation process and thermal structure of subducting slab, and the main subduction slab dynamics in the upper mantle, mantle transition zone, and lower mantle. The results of numerical models are based on the theoretical equations of mass, momentum, and energy conservation. To better understand the dynamic progress of subducting plates, the simulation results must be verified in comparisons with the results from natural observations by geology, geophysics and geochemistry. With the substantial increase in computing power and continuous improvement of simulation methods, numerical models will become a more accurate and efficient means of studying the frontier issues of Earth sciences, including subducting plate dynamics.
ISSN:1674-7313
1869-1897
DOI:10.1007/s11430-017-9275-4