| Session Details | |
| Section | SE - Solid Earth Sciences |
| Session Title | Accretion and Subduction of the Oceanic Lithosphere, from Ridge to Trench |
| Main Convener | Prof. Hongfeng Yang (Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR) |
| Co-convener(s) | Prof. Yajing Liu (McGill University, Canada) Dr. Meng (Matt) Wei (University of Rhode Island, United States) Dr. Shengji Wei (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) |
| Session Description | From its accretion at mid-ocean ridges to descending at trenches, the structural and mechanical properties of oceanic lithosphere govern its response to the underlying plate tectonic processes. At mid-ocean ridges, the axial morphology and style of faulting is controlled by the interplay between the tectonic and magmatic extension, which are thought to reflect axially variable rates of magma intrusion. Individual spreading segments are separated by oceanic transform faults, which are mainly characterized by strike-slip motion but release, on average, more than 80% of the cumulative moment in aseismic creep. Along subduction trenches, thermal and hydro-mechanical properties of the oceanic lithosphere can critically affect the generation of earthquakes and tsunamis. It is critical to understand the evolution of oceanic lithosphere in order to better understand the associated geological and geophysical processes. In this session we solicit contributions on all relevant studies on the evolution of oceanic lithosphere, from ridge to trench, including but not limited to, ridge accretion and axial morphology, axial faulting and seismicity, slip and morphology along oceanic transform faults, megathrust earthquakes, and subduction processes. |