Preprints
https://doi.org/10.31223/X5B31X
https://doi.org/10.31223/X5B31X
22 Aug 2022
 | 22 Aug 2022

The effect of temperature-dependent material properties on simple thermal models of subduction zones

Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig

Abstract. To a large extent, the thermal structure of a subduction zone determines where seismicity occurs through controls on the transition from brittle to ductile deformation and the depth of dehydration reactions. Thermal models of subduction zones can help understand the distribution of seismicity by accurately modelling the thermal structure of the subduction zone. Here, we assess a common simplification in thermal models of subduction zones, i.e., constant values for the thermal parameters. We use temperature-dependent parameterisations, constrained by lab data, for the thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and density, to systematically test their effect on the resulting thermal structure of the slab. To isolate this effect, we use the well-constrained, thoroughly studied, and highly simplified model setup of the subduction community benchmark by Van Keken et al. (2008) in a 2D finite element code. To ensure a self-consistent and realistic initial temperature-profile for the slab, we implement a 1D plate model for cooling of the oceanic lithosphere with an age of 50 Myr in favour of the previously used half-space model. Our results show that using temperature-dependent thermal parameters in thermal models of subduction zones results in a slightly cooler plate with e.g., the 600 °C isotherm reaching almost 30 km deeper. From this, we infer that these models would predict a larger estimated seismogenic zone and a larger depth at which dehydration reactions responsible for intermediate-depth seismicity occur. We therefore recommend that thermo(-mechanical) models of subduction zones take temperature-dependent thermal parameters into account, especially when inferences on seismicity are made.

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

11 Jul 2023
The effect of temperature-dependent material properties on simple thermal models of subduction zones
Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig
Solid Earth, 14, 683–707, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-683-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-683-2023, 2023
Short summary
Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-768', Anonymous Referee #1, 19 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Iris van Zelst, 13 Feb 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-768', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Iris van Zelst, 13 Feb 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-768', Anonymous Referee #1, 19 Oct 2022
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Iris van Zelst, 13 Feb 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-768', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2022
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Iris van Zelst, 13 Feb 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Iris van Zelst on behalf of the Authors (13 Feb 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (16 Feb 2023) by Taras Gerya
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (24 Mar 2023)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (07 May 2023)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (08 May 2023) by Taras Gerya
AR by Iris van Zelst on behalf of the Authors (22 May 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (24 May 2023) by Taras Gerya
ED: Publish as is (27 May 2023) by Federico Rossetti (Executive editor)
AR by Iris van Zelst on behalf of the Authors (29 May 2023)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

11 Jul 2023
The effect of temperature-dependent material properties on simple thermal models of subduction zones
Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig
Solid Earth, 14, 683–707, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-683-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-683-2023, 2023
Short summary
Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig
Iris van Zelst, Cedric Thieulot, and Timothy J. Craig

Viewed

Since the preprint corresponding to this journal article was posted outside of Copernicus Publications, the preprint-related metrics are limited to HTML views.

Total article views: 213 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
213 0 0 213 4 1
  • HTML: 213
  • PDF: 0
  • XML: 0
  • Total: 213
  • BibTeX: 4
  • EndNote: 1
Views and downloads (calculated since 22 Aug 2022)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 22 Aug 2022)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Since the preprint corresponding to this journal article was posted outside of Copernicus Publications, the preprint-related metrics are limited to HTML views.

Total article views: 201 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 201 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 17 Sep 2024
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
A common simplification in subduction zone models is the use of constant thermal parameters, while experiments have shown that they vary with temperature. We test various formulations of T-dependent thermal parameters and show that they change the thermal structure of the subducting slab. We therefore recommend that modelling studies of the thermal structure of subduction zones take the T-dependence of thermal parameters into account, especially when they aim to provide insight into seismicity.