Slab tearing (sketch)
Sketch of laterally progressing slab detachment and resulting inflow of asthenospheric material into the opening gap.
Subduction dynamics are explained in this collection of accurate, accessible science graphics, designed to make understanding how tectonic plates sink into the mantle clear and engaging. These visuals illustrate slab motion, mantle flow, trench migration, and the forces driving earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building. Perfect for educators, students, and geoscience enthusiasts, this subduction dynamics graphic collection turns complex geodynamic processes into visually rich, easy-to-grasp resources for teaching and learning about Earth’s evolving plate boundaries.
Puysegur trench formation
A schematic highlighting the formation of the Puysegur trench, New Zealand, where subduction zone initiation may be both horizontally and then vertically driven, according to a 4D evolution model of this margin.
Subduction zone initiation types
Illustration of the three types of subduction zone initiation (SZI) events, namely Newly destructive, Episodic subduction, and Polarity reversal.
Subduction initiation forcing
The illustration depicts two endmember states in subduction zone initiation: vertically-forced and horizontally-forced subduction initiation.
Slab-gap dynamics
Sketch of an evolution of an opening and sinking slab gap during oceanic subduction and the resulting surrounding mantle flow.
Subduction seismic anisotropy
Illustration of constraints on subduction zone seismic anisotropy from a global compilation of shear-wave splitting measurements.
SZI geologic evidence
Schematic illustration of the emplacement of subduction zone initiation (SZI)-typical rock evidence during SZI, and a typical SZI ophiolite sequence.