Subduction drives plate tectonics, forms continents, and transports surface material to the deep Earth. Therefore, it is arguably the most important geodynamical and geochemical phenomenon on Earth. Seismological data show a fascinating range in shapes of subducting slabs with structures interpreted as resulting from roll-over, buckling, dripping, draping or avalanching through the base of the upper mantle. Arc volcanism illustrates the complexity of geochemical and petrological phenomena associated with subduction. Surface topography provides insight in the orogenic processes related to subduction and continental collision. Numerical and laboratory modelling studies have successfully reproduced many of these shapes and processes, but with different technical approaches, set-ups, inputs and material properties, and a consistent picture has so far not emerged. In this session, we aim to follow subducting lithosphere on their journey from the surface down into the Earth's mantle.

Examples of questions we seek to address are: How does subduction initiate? What is the role of phase transitions and the migration of fluids and melts? Which are the controlling parameters for slab dip angle? What is the fate of subducted crust, sediments and volatiles? What is the importance of subducting seamounts, LIPs, and ridges? How do near-surface processes influence the dynamics of slabs in the mantle? What is the influence of the mantle wedge and the back-arc on slab dynamics? How does slab break-off occur? How are mantle wedge geodynamics and geochemistry linked? Can we improve imaging of present-day subduction zones and surrounding mantle flow?

With this session we aim to further our knowledge about subduction processes by combining insights from many different approaches. Therefore, we invite contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including and certainly not limited to geodynamics, modelling, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology and seismology, to discuss subduction zone dynamics at all scales from the surface to the lower mantle.

We are please to announce our invited presenters!

Thorsten Becker (University of Southern California) - "Slab deformation and seismicity"

Saskia Goes (Imperial College London, UK) - "Subduction dynamics: effects of downgoing-plate density and strength "

Andreas Rietbock (University of Liverpool, UK) - Structure, seismogenic properties, and aftershock distribution in the rupture area of the 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake"

This session is co-sponsored by the European Association of Geochemistry (EAG).