Lubrication Dynamics for Exhumation of high-pressure Rocks in Subduction Zones

Subduction zones witness exhumation of deep crustal rocks metamorphosed under high pressure (HP) and ultra-high pressure (UHP) conditions, following burial to depths of 100 km or more. The exhumation dynamics of HP and UHP rocks still remains a lively issue of research in the Earth science community. We develop a new tectonic model based on the lubrication dynamics to show the exhumation mechanism of such deep crustal rocks in convergent tectonic settings. Our model suggests subducting plate motion produces a dynamic pressure in the subduction wedge, which supports the excess gravitational potential energy of the thicker and relatively denser overriding plate partly lying over the buoyant subduction wedge. A drop in the dynamic pressure causes the overriding plate to undergo gravitational collapse and forces the wedge materials to return to the surface. Using lubrication theory we estimate the magnitude of dynamic pressure (P) in the wedge as a function of subduction velocity (u_s), convergence angle (α) and wedge viscosity (µ). We also conduct thermo-mechanical numerical experiments to implement the lubrication model in subduction zones on a real scale. Our analysis suggests that drop in wedge dynamic pressure below a threshold value due to decease in u_s  and µ, or by other processes, such as slab rollback and trench retreat facilitate exhumation of deep crustal rocks. Finally we discuss their implications for the exhumation of deep crustal rocks in different subduction setups such as the Himalayan continental subduction, the Mediterranean realm (Calabria–Apennine and Aegean belts) and Western Alps.