Abstract
THE development of subduction zones may depend on the motion of the two converging lithospheric plates relative to the underlying deep mantle. It is likely that the plates move much more rapidly than the underlying mantle1–4, the return flow being diffused through a large region1,5. The deep mantle is thus nearly stationary and the horizontal motion of sinking plates that extend to depths of 700 km must be significantly restrained.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Morgan, W. J., Nature, 230, 42 (1971).
Jacoby, W. R., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 5671 (1970).
Hales, A. L., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 6, 31 (1969).
Ringwood, A. E., in Geophys. Monogr., 13, 1 (1969).
Schubert, G., and Turcotte, D. L., J. Geophys. Res., 77, 945 (1972).
Wilson, J. T., Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., A, 258, 145 (1965).
Dietz, R. S., and Holden, J. C., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 4939 (1970).
Isacks, B., and Molnar, P., Rev. Geophys., 9, 103 (1971).
Lipman, P. W., Prostka, H. J., and Christiansen, R. L., Science, 174, 821 (1971).
Dickinson, W. R., Rev. Geophys., 8, 813 (1970).
Lee, W. H. K., and Uyeda, S., in Geophys. Monogr., 8, 87 (1965).
McKenzie, D. P., and Sclater, J. G., J. Geophys. Res., 73, 3173 (1968).
Roy, R. F., Blackwell, D. D., and Decker, E. R., in Nature of the Solid Earth (edit. by Robertson, E.) (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972).
Blackwell, D. D., in Geophys. Monogr., 14, 169 (1971).
Blackwell, D. D., Trans. Amer. Geophys. Un., EOS, 11, 924 (abst., 1971).
Porath, H., Gough, D. I., and Camfield, P. A., Geophys. J., 23, 387 (1971).
Schmucker, U., Bull. Scripps Inst. Oceanogr. Tech. Ser., 14 (1970).
Herrin, E., Geophys. Monogr., 13, 243 (1969).
Archambeau, C. B., Flinn, E. A., and Lambert, D. G., J. Geophys. Res., 74, 5825 (1969).
Aumento, F., and Hyndman, R. D., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 12, 373 (1972).
Dietz, R. S., Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 65, 1199 (1954).
Carey, S. W., in Continental Drift, a Symposium (edit. by Carey, S. W.), 177 (Univ. of Tasmania Press, Hobart, 1958).
Karig, D. E., Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 82, 323 (1971).
Karig, D. E., and Glassley, W. E., Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 81, 2143 (1970).
Karig, D. E., J. Geophys. Res., 75, 239 (1970).
Sclater, J. G., Hawkins, J. W., Mammerickx, and Chase, C. G., Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 83, 505 (1972).
Oxburgh, E. R., and Turcotte, D. L., J. Geophys. Res., 76, 1315 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HYNDMAN, R. Plate Motions relative to the Deep Mantle and the Development of Subduction Zones. Nature 238, 263–265 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/238263b0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/238263b0
This article is cited by
-
Model Experiment of Plate Movements
Nature Physical Science (1973)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
