Cited by 475High-pressure geophysics and materialsearthquake and tectonic studiesGeological and Geophysical Studies Worldwide

Mantle phase changes and deep-earthquake faulting in subducting lithosphere

Kirby, Stephen H., Durham, William B., Stern, Laura A.·1991·Science

Abstract

Inclined zones of earthquakes are the primary expression of lithosphere subduction. A distinct deep population of subduction-zone earthquakes occurs at depths of 350 to 690 kilometers. At those depths ordinary brittle fracture and frictional sliding, the faulting processes of shallow earthquakes, are not expected. A fresh understanding of these deep earthquakes comes from developments in several areas of experimental and theoretical geophysics, including the discovery and characterization of transformational faulting, a shear instability connected with localized phase transformations under nonhydrostatic stress. These developments support the hypothesis that deep earthquakes represent transformational faulting in a wedge of olivine-rich peridotite that is likely to persist metastably in coldest plate interiors to depths as great as 690 km. Predictions based on this deep structure of mantle phase changes are consistent with the global depth distribution of deep earthquakes, the maximum depths of earthquakes in individual subductions zones, and key source characteristics of deep events.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.252.5003.216

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146 of 146 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • This tectonic 'conveyor belt' allows oceanic lithosphere to be efficiently recycled back into the mantle from whence it originated.

    “This tectonic 'conveyor belt' allows oceanic lithosphere to be efficiently recycled back into the mantle from whence it originated”

    From Secular change and the onset of plate tectonics on Earth (2020) · cites this paper as Kirby et al., 1991

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Authors
Kirby, S. H., Durham, W. B., & Stern, L. A.
Affiliations
  • United States Geological Survey (US)
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (US)
Venue
Science
Published
1991-04-12
Volume
252
Issue
5003
Pages
216-225
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2019497963
Cited by
475
References
146
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
FWCI
22.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › High-pressure geophysics and materials
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › earthquake and tectonic studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geophysical Studies Worldwide
Keywords
deep earthquakes, subduction zone, mantle phase transitions, olivine, peridotite, shear instability, non-hydrostatic stress, subducting lithosphere, earthquake depth distribution, earthquake source characteristics

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