The Absolute Motion of Trenches and Age of the Subducting Slab

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dc.contributor.advisorGordon, Richard Gen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSawyer, Dale Sen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberNiu, Fenglinen_US
dc.creatorMathews, David Christopheren_US
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-27T22:32:56Zen_US
dc.date.available2016-01-27T22:32:56Zen_US
dc.date.created2014-12en_US
dc.date.issued2014-12-05en_US
dc.date.submittedDecember 2014en_US
dc.date.updated2016-01-27T22:32:56Zen_US
dc.description.abstractPrevious work proposes that many trenches advance, but inferred motions vary considerably between different estimates of plate motion relative to hotspots. We remedy this by using recent estimates of absolute plate motions inferred from seismic anisotropy, incorporating the MORVEL relative plate angular velocities, and fully propagating the uncertainties. Nearly half the trench velocities differ significantly from prior results, with the greatest differences at the Kermadec, New Hebrides, and Marianas trenches. Trench velocity ranges from retreat of 126 ± 20 mm a-1 to advance of 52 ± 14 mm a-1 with a median of 9 mm a-1 of retreat. Out of 57 locations, trench advance is significant at only five locations (along the Hikurangi, Marianas, and Izu-Bonin trenches), retreat is significant at 23 locations, and trench motion differs insignificantly from zero at 29 locations. Trench advance increases with age and absolute velocity of subducting lithosphere and with angle of subduction.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationMathews, David Christopher. "The Absolute Motion of Trenches and Age of the Subducting Slab." (2014) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88195">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88195</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/88195en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjecttrench advanceen_US
dc.subjectslab ageen_US
dc.subjectabsolute plate motionen_US
dc.subjectplate tectonicsen_US
dc.titleThe Absolute Motion of Trenches and Age of the Subducting Slaben_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentEarth Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen_US
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