Earth and Environment graduate seminar

About this event

Title: Subduction zones in conversation: how mantle flow couples neighboring plate boundaries by Dr. Adam Holt, Assistant Professor, University of Miami – Rosenstiel School of Marine, Department of Marine Geosciences

Abstract:

Subduction zones, where one tectonic plate sinks beneath another into Earth’s mantle, are usually studied in isolation. But they don’t work alone. Neighboring subduction zones “talk” to each other, both through the plates that connect them and through the mantle flowing deep beneath. Using computer models of mantle flow, I’ll show how these hidden conversations shape plate motions and build mountains. I’ll focus on the western Pacific, where mantle flow ties the Pacific and Philippine Sea subduction zones together in ways that can’t be seen from the surface.