Subduction trench

Slab tearing (sketch)

Sketch of laterally progressing slab detachment and resulting inflow of asthenospheric material into the opening gap.

Subduction diversity

Subduction diversity on the Earth represented by variable observed parameters.

Subduction zones (map)

Map of subduction zones on the Earth.

Slab retreat dynamics

Three different ways to allow for fast subduction trench retreat.

Subduction seismic anisotropy

Illustration of constraints on subduction zone seismic anisotropy from a global compilation of shear-wave splitting measurements.

Convergent plate boundary

Illustration of a convergent plate boundary on the Earth accommodating the relative motion of the plates by plate subduction and characterised by an arcuate shape.

Plate boundaries & Euler pole

Illustration of how plates move across the Earth featuring the Euler pole and plate boundary end-members.