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The olivine → spinel transformation and the rheology of subducting lithosphere

Nature volume 308, pages 505–508 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

During subduction, relatively hot lithospheric slabs are expected to deform in a superplastic flow regime below a depth of ∼300 km if olivine reacts to fine-grained spinel. This process reduces the flow strength of such slabs below the phase boundary so that they become aseismic at about this depth. In colder slabs temperatures are too low for superplastic deformation, and a high flow strength and seismic activity are maintained to a depth of 600–700 km.

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Author notes

  1. David C. Rubie

    Present address: Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut, Universität Bern, Baltzerstrasse 1, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departement für Erdwissenschaften, ETH-Zentrum, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland

    David C. Rubie

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  1. David C. Rubie
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Rubie, D. The olivine → spinel transformation and the rheology of subducting lithosphere. Nature 308, 505–508 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308505a0

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