| Abstract: | The depths to the tops of the zones of intermediate-depth seismicity beneath arc volcanoes are determined using the hypocentral locations of Engdahl et al. These depths are constant, to within a few kilometres, within individual arc segments, but differ by tens of kilometres from one arc segment to another. The range in depths is from 65 km to 130 km, inconsistent with the common belief that the volcanoes directly overlie the places where the slabs reach a critical depth that is roughly constant for all arcs. The depth to the top of the intermediate-depth seismicity beneath volcanoes correlates neither with age of the descending ocean floor nor with the thermal parameter of the slab. This depth does, however, exhibit an inverse correlation with the descent speed of the subducting plate, which is the controlling factor both for the thermal structure of the wedge of mantle above the slab and for the temperature at the top of the slab. We interpret this result as indicating that the location of arc volcanoes is controlled by a process that depends critically upon the temperature at the top of the slab, or in the wedge of mantle, immediately below the volcanic arc. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70027074 |
| Citation Author: | England, P.; Engdahl, R.; Thatcher, W. |
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| Citation End Page: | 408 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Geophysical Journal International |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 32 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Systematic variation in the depths of slabs beneath arc volcanoes; 2004; Article; Journal; Geophysical Journal International; England, P.; Engdahl, R.; Thatcher, W. |
| Citation Start Page: | 377 |
| Citation Volume: | 156 |
| Citation Year: | 2004 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Systematic variation in the depths of slabs beneath arc volcanoes; 2004; Article; Journal; Geophysical Journal International; England, P.; Engdahl, R.; Thatcher, W. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2003.02132.x |
| Date Other: | Thu, 1 Jan 2004 00:00 -0600 |
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