The thermal regime of a three-dimensional subducting lithospheric slab and its electromagnetic response: a numerical model

Abstract

A three-dimensional subducting lithospheric slab is simulated by a numerical technique and its temperature regime investigated. A single-slab model or models with multiple slab sections can be considered. An example is shown of two slab sections that dip at different angles. The near-surface heat flow above the slab is considered, and compared with a two-dimensional model. The temperature changes of particular points within the slab are monitored as it subducts and compared with the two-dimensional case. Considerable differences exist between the two- and three-dimensional cases, depending on the location of the point considered. An electromagnetic model is derived from the thermal model and the perturbations of time-varying electromagnetic fields caused by the electrical resistivity variations associated with the temperature variations are investigated.