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Dehydration of subducting slow-spread oceanic lithosphere in the Lesser Antilles

Author

Listed:
  • Michele Paulatto

    (Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IRD, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur
    Imperial College London, Earth Science and Engineering)

  • Mireille Laigle

    (Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IRD, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur)

  • Audrey Galve

    (Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IRD, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur)

  • Philippe Charvis

    (Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, IRD, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur)

  • Martine Sapin

    (Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité)

  • Gaye Bayrakci

    (University of Southampton, Ocean and Earth Science)

  • Mikael Evain

    (IFREMER, Géosciences Marines, Centre Bretagne)

  • Heidrun Kopp

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel)

Abstract

Subducting slabs carry water into the mantle and are a major gateway in the global geochemical water cycle. Fluid transport and release can be constrained with seismological data. Here we use joint active-source/local-earthquake seismic tomography to derive unprecedented constraints on multi-stage fluid release from subducting slow-spread oceanic lithosphere. We image the low P-wave velocity crustal layer on the slab top and show that it disappears beneath 60–100 km depth, marking the depth of dehydration metamorphism and eclogitization. Clustering of seismicity at 120–160 km depth suggests that the slab’s mantle dehydrates beneath the volcanic arc, and may be the main source of fluids triggering arc magma generation. Lateral variations in seismic properties on the slab surface suggest that serpentinized peridotite exhumed in tectonized slow-spread crust near fracture zones may increase water transport to sub-arc depths. This results in heterogeneous water release and directly impacts earthquakes generation and mantle wedge dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Paulatto & Mireille Laigle & Audrey Galve & Philippe Charvis & Martine Sapin & Gaye Bayrakci & Mikael Evain & Heidrun Kopp, 2017. "Dehydration of subducting slow-spread oceanic lithosphere in the Lesser Antilles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15980
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15980
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