Research Article| January 01, 2004 Continental plate collision: Unstable vs. stable slab dynamics Gisèle Toussaint; Gisèle Toussaint 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Evgene Burov; Evgene Burov 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Laurent Jolivet Laurent Jolivet 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Gisèle Toussaint 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Evgene Burov 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Laurent Jolivet 1Lab Tectonique UMR 7072, University of Pierre and Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris, France Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 02 Jul 2003 Revision Received: 23 Sep 2003 Accepted: 25 Sep 2003 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2004) 32 (1): 33–36. https://doi.org/10.1130/G19883.1 Article history Received: 02 Jul 2003 Revision Received: 23 Sep 2003 Accepted: 25 Sep 2003 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Gisèle Toussaint, Evgene Burov, Laurent Jolivet; Continental plate collision: Unstable vs. stable slab dynamics. Geology 2004;; 32 (1): 33–36. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G19883.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We study possible scenarios for the evolution of continental collision zones by using a dynamic thermomechanical model that includes brittle-elastic-ductile rheology, surface erosion, and explicit metamorphic changes. This paper focuses primarily on the influence of four key parameters: (1) geotherm or thermotectonic age (which controls the rheological profile), (2) lower-crustal composition (weak or strong rheology), (3) convergence rate, and (4) metamorphic changes in the downgoing crust. The experiments suggest that, depending on these parameters, plate convergence is accommodated by four distinct mechanisms: stable subduction, shortening by pure-shear thickening or folding, and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. It appears that stable, oceanic-type subduction can only occur in the case of cold lithospheres (Moho temperature, TMoho < 550 °C), and basically needs high convergence rates (>4–5 cm/yr). Depending on the lower-crustal rheology (strong or weak), either the whole (upper and lower) crust or only the lower crust can be involved in subduction. It appears that in the case of weak metamorphic rheologies, phase changes only slightly improve chances for stable subduction. Lithospheric shortening becomes a dominant mechanism when TMoho > 550 °C or convergence rates are <4–5 cm/yr. Pure-shear thickening becomes important in all cases of hot lithospheres (TMoho > 650 °C). Large-scale folding is favored in the case of TMoho = 500–650 °C and is more effective in the case of mechanical coupling between crust and mantle (e.g., strong lower crust). Gravitational (Rayleigh-Taylor) instabilities overcome other mechanisms for very high values of TMoho (>800 °C) and may lead to development of subvertical cold spots. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.