Impact of convergence rate and slab dip angle on island-arc magma generation
摘要
Island-arc magmatism is a crucial process in the Earth’s crustal growth. However, how the island-arc magma production rate (MPR) changes and the key influencing factors remains unclear. This study employs numerical models to simulate island-arc growth, incorporating slab dehydration, mantle hydration and melting, and melt extraction. In addition, the impacts of convergence rate and slab dip angle on island-arc magma production were studied. Results suggest that, (1) MPR increases with higher convergence rates; high convergence rates enhance slab water transport efficiency and mantle wedge convection, thereby promoting water fraction and temperature in potential molten regions; (2) MPR initially rises and then falls as the slab dip angle varies from 30° to 45°, and to 60°. This variation is closely tied to water content in the wedge rather than mantle temperature. However, a higher slab dip promotes dehydration towards the potential-melting mantle wedge, which causes water to ascend to shallow areas and reduces the area of the potential molten region. Ultimately, a dip angle of 45° is optimal for retaining the most suitable water fraction and mantle wedge area, thereby maintaining the largest MPR; (3) convergence rate variation has a much larger influence on magma production rate than dip angle variation. When the convergence rate varies from 2 to 10 cm/a, the largest time-averaged MPR is 64.0 times the smallest one, whereas when the slab dip varies from 30° to 60°, the largest time-averaged MPR is only 3.5 times the smallest one. These findings align with numerous instances observed in modern-day subduction zones.