Videos of the time-dependent evolution of subduction help us to analyze how different parameters affect subduction dynamics and are a useful teaching tool.

Below you will find a list of previous publication with links to videos for numerical simulation of subduction related to that publication. Please see the publication for specifics about the model shown in the video. If you use a video in a scientific talk, please cite the publication.

The link will open a new tab to download the file from my UC Davis Box.com website and create a preview. Note that the video file sizes range from 0.5 to 10 MB. If you have trouble with a link please e-mail me.

Billen, Magali I: Deep Slab Seismicity Limited by Rate of Deformation in the Transition Zone, Sciences Advances, 6 (eaaz7692) 2020.

• Model 1 (80 my, no phase transitions)
• Model 2 (80 my, with phase transitions)
• Model 3 (40 my, with phase transitions)

Billen, Magali I; Arredondo, Katrina M: Plate-Asthenosphere Decoupling Caused by Non-linear Viscosity During Slab Folding in the Transition Zone, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 281, 17-30, 2018.

• Model 1 (REF, no ridge, no crust, Aop=20 my, Asp = 80 my)
• Model 2 (Same as Model 1 with Aop = 40 my)
• Model 3 (Same as Model 1 with OP crust)
• Model 4 (Same as Model 3 with OP spreading ridge)
• Model 5 (Same as Model 4 with Asp = 40 my)
• Model 6 (Same as Model 4 with viscosity minimum = 5e19 Pa s)
• Model 7 (Same as Model 4 with NO phase transitions)

Billen, Magali I: Insights into the Causes of Arc Rifting from 2D Dynamic Models of Subduction. Geophysical Research Letters, 44, 1-10, 2017.

• Model 1 (arc rifting, zoom) (OP-Age 40 my, crust-visc 1e20 Pa-s)
• Model 2 (no rifting) higher viscosity crust (1e21 Pa-s)
• Model 3 (no rifting) younger overriding plate (20 my)

Arredondo, Katrina M; Billen, Magali I: Coupled Effects of Phase Transitions and Rheology in 2D Dynamical Models of Subduction. Journal of Geophysical Research, 122 , 2017.

• Model A: 2D Slice of slab evolution BSQ Ref Model, no PT, no Comp
• Model C: 2D Slice of Evolution EBA Ref. Model, no PT, no Comp
• Model D: 2D Slice of slab evolution EBA with PT and Comp., crust visc 1e21 Pa-s, yield stress 1000 MPa, OP-Age 40 my
• Model F: 2D Slice of slab evolution Same as 4 with weaker crust 1e20 Pa-s
• Model 8: 2D Slice of slab evolution  Same as 4 with weaker crust 5e20 Pa-s, yield stress 500 MPa
• Model 10: 2D Slice of slab evolution Same as 4 with younger upper plate (20 My)

Rodríguez-González, Juan; Billen, Magali I; Negredo, Ana M; Montési, L G J: Along-strike variation in subducting plate velocity induced by along-strike variation in overriding plate structure: Insights from 3D numerical models. Journal of Geodynamics, 100 , pp. 175-183, 2016.

• Model R: 2D Slice of slab evolution uniform upper plate
• Model A: 2D Slice of slab evolution cold upper plate 600 km wide
• Model B: 2D Slice of slab evolution cold upper plate 1400 km wide
• Model R: Polar wander path uniform upper plate
• Model A: Polar wander path cold upper plate 600 km wide
• Model B: Polar wander path cold upper plate 1400 km wide

Arredondo, Katrina; Billen, Magali I: The Effects of Phase Transitions and Compositional Layering in Two-dimensional Kinematic Models of Subduction. Journal of Geodynamics, 100 , pp. 159-174, 2016.

Q-Boussinesq Approx., A-Extended Boussinesq Approx., PT – phase transition, CB-crustal buoyancy

• Model 1Q       1A       no PT, no CB
• Model 2Q       2A       no PT, with CB
• Model 3Q       3A      two PT, 100% olivine, no CB
• Model 4Q       4A       two PT, pyrolite comp.,  no CB
• Model 5Q       5A       All-pyrolite PT, no CB
• Model 6Q       6A       two PT, 100% olivine, with CB
• Model 7Q       7A        All-pyrolite PT, with CB
• Model 8Q       8A        Comp-dep PT (pyrolite, harzburgite, basalt), with CB

Taramón, Juan; Rodríguez-González, Juan; Negredo, Ana M; Billen, Magali I: Influence of Cratonic Lithosphere on the Formation and Evolution of Flat Slabs: Insights from 3D Time-dependent Modeling. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 16 , 2015.

• Model F:    Slice at lat=0       Slice at lat = 9             3D View        short proto-slab
• Model G:   Slice at lat=0       Slice at lat = 9             3D View        long proto-slab

Burkett, Erin R; Billen, Magali I: Three-dimensionality of Slab Detachment due to Ridge-Trench Collision: Laterally Simultaneous Boudinage versus Tear Propagation. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 11 (Q11012), 2010.

• Model 3D-1  (single ridge segment)
• Model 3D-1 (zoom)
• Model 3D-2 (offset ridge segments, weak fracture zone)
• Model 3D-3 (offset ridge segments, healed fracture zone)

Burkett, Erin R; Billen, Magali I: Dynamics and Implications of Slab Detachment due to Ridge-Trench Collision. Journal of Geophysical Research, 114 (B12402), 2009.

• Model 2 (reference; initial slab depth 600 km)
• Model 9 (initial slab depth is 200 km)

Billen, Magali I; Hirth, Greg: Rheologic Controls on Slab Dynamics. Geochemistry, Geophysics and Geosystems, 8 (Q08012), 2007.

• Model 1 (REF: visc-jump to lower mantle x10, yield strength 1000 MPa, Sub-Plate-Age 80 my, Sub-Plate-Vel 5.0 cm/yr, visc-sz = 1e21 Pa-s)
• Model 2 (visc-jump to lower mantle x30)
• Model 3 (visc-jump to lower mantle x1)
• Model 5 (visc-jump to lower mantle x30, visc-sz = 1e20 Pa-s)
• Model 6 (visc-jump to lower mantle x1, visc-sz = 1e20 Pa-s)
• Model 8 (yield stress 100 MPa)
• Model 9 (Sub-Plate-Age 40 my)
• Model 10 (Sub-Plate-Age 120 my)
• Model 12 (Sub-Plate-Vel 2.0 cm/yr)
• Model 14 (Sub-Plate-Vel 10.0 cm/yr)