Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region
Abstract The slab structure and high elevation of the Himalaya-Tibet region and their underlying mechanisms have been widely discussed. Many studies interpret a flat slab segment of Indian continental lithosphere located below the overriding plate, but interpretations of the northward extent of the...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52709-w |
| _version_ | 1797274947678109696 |
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| author | K. Xue W. P. Schellart V. Strak |
| author_facet | K. Xue W. P. Schellart V. Strak |
| author_sort | K. Xue |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The slab structure and high elevation of the Himalaya-Tibet region and their underlying mechanisms have been widely discussed. Many studies interpret a flat slab segment of Indian continental lithosphere located below the overriding plate, but interpretations of the northward extent of the flat slab differ substantially, with minimum estimates placing the boundary at the northern margin of the Himalaya (Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo suture), and maximum estimates placing it at the northern boundary of Tibet. In this study, we investigate for the first time if a flat slab segment of subducted buoyant Indian continental lithosphere below the Himalaya-Tibet region is geodynamically feasible and we quantify its northward extent, as well as its contribution to the high topography of the region. We conduct three large-scale fully-dynamic (buoyancy-driven) analogue experiments to simulate the subduction of the Indian continent. Our preferred, and geodynamically most feasible, model shows a continental flat slab extending northward up to ~ 320 km from the Himalayan thrust front, in agreement with recent estimates. Furthermore, it suggests that the positively buoyant flat slab segment of the Indian continent contributes some ~ 1.5–2 km to the high topography of the Himalaya-Southern Tibet region by providing an upward force to elevate the overriding Eurasian plate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:06:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a09a3ca33ae841f1bebfd1b272e66c51 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:06:23Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a09a3ca33ae841f1bebfd1b272e66c512024-03-05T18:53:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-01-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-52709-wGeodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet regionK. Xue0W. P. Schellart1V. Strak2Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAbstract The slab structure and high elevation of the Himalaya-Tibet region and their underlying mechanisms have been widely discussed. Many studies interpret a flat slab segment of Indian continental lithosphere located below the overriding plate, but interpretations of the northward extent of the flat slab differ substantially, with minimum estimates placing the boundary at the northern margin of the Himalaya (Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo suture), and maximum estimates placing it at the northern boundary of Tibet. In this study, we investigate for the first time if a flat slab segment of subducted buoyant Indian continental lithosphere below the Himalaya-Tibet region is geodynamically feasible and we quantify its northward extent, as well as its contribution to the high topography of the region. We conduct three large-scale fully-dynamic (buoyancy-driven) analogue experiments to simulate the subduction of the Indian continent. Our preferred, and geodynamically most feasible, model shows a continental flat slab extending northward up to ~ 320 km from the Himalayan thrust front, in agreement with recent estimates. Furthermore, it suggests that the positively buoyant flat slab segment of the Indian continent contributes some ~ 1.5–2 km to the high topography of the Himalaya-Southern Tibet region by providing an upward force to elevate the overriding Eurasian plate.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52709-w |
| spellingShingle | K. Xue W. P. Schellart V. Strak Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region Scientific Reports |
| title | Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region |
| title_full | Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region |
| title_fullStr | Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region |
| title_short | Geodynamic models of Indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the Himalaya-Tibet region |
| title_sort | geodynamic models of indian continental flat slab subduction with implications for the topography of the himalaya tibet region |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52709-w |
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