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Mesozoic subducted slabs under Siberia

Author

Listed:
  • Rob Van der Voo

    (the University of Michigan
    Vening Meinesz School of Geodynamics, Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University)

  • Wim Spakman

    (Vening Meinesz School of Geodynamics, Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University)

  • Harmen Bijwaard

    (Vening Meinesz School of Geodynamics, Institute of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University)

Abstract

Recent results from seismic tomography demonstrate that subducted oceanic lithosphere can be observed globally as slabs of relatively high seismic velocity in the upper as well as lower mantle1,2. The Asian mantle is no exception, with high-velocity slabs being observed downwards from the west Pacific subduction zones under the Kurile Islands, Japan and farther south3,4,5, as well as under Asia's ancient Tethyan margin. Here we present evidence for the presence of slab remnants of Jurassic age that were subducted when the Mongol–Okhotsk and Kular–Nera oceans closed between Siberia, the combined Mongolia–North China blocks and the Omolon block6,7,8. We identify these proposed slab remnants in the lower mantle west of Lake Baikal down to depths of at least 2,500 km, where they join what has been interpreted as a ‘graveyard’9 of subducted lithosphere at the bottom of the mantle. Our interpretation implies that slab remnants in the mantle can still be recognized some 150 million years or more after they have been subducted and that such structures may be useful in associating geodynamic to surface-tectonic processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rob Van der Voo & Wim Spakman & Harmen Bijwaard, 1999. "Mesozoic subducted slabs under Siberia," Nature, Nature, vol. 397(6716), pages 246-249, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:397:y:1999:i:6716:d:10.1038_16686
    DOI: 10.1038/16686
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    Cited by:

    1. Guido M. Gianni & César R. Navarrete, 2022. "Catastrophic slab loss in southwestern Pangea preserved in the mantle and igneous record," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Yifei Hou & Pan Zhao & Huafeng Qin & Ross N. Mitchell & Qiuli Li & Wenxing Hao & Min Zhang & Peter D. Ward & Jie Yuan & Chenglong Deng & Rixiang Zhu, 2024. "Completing the loop of the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous true polar wander event," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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