Publication Date:
2017-04-04
Description:
By means of a stratified Earth model with viscoelastic rheology, we have studied the
long-term global fluctuations of Relative Sea Level (RSL) induced by subducting slabs. We have
computed RSL variations for both a single subduction and a realistic distribution of slabs by a
numerical simulation based on a simplified model of the subduction process. RSL is determined
by the offset between the geoid and the dynamic topography; our analysis demonstrates that the
latter provides the prevailing contribution. We have studied, in addition, the effects of rheological
stratification upon the amplitude and time-evolution of these two quantities and, consequently, of RSL
fluctuations. According to our results, an upper bound for the rate of RSL associated with subduction
is of the order of 0.1 mm/yr, in agreement with previous studies. This rate of sea level variation is
comparable with that attributed to changes in the tectonic regime on a large scale. This preliminary
result corroborates the suggestion by other authors to include subduction in the list of geophysical
mechanisms which contribute to long-term RSL fluctuations.
Description:
Published
Description:
225–238
Description:
3.3. Geodinamica e struttura dell'interno della Terra
Description:
JCR Journal
Description:
reserved
Keywords:
dynamic topography
;
geoid
;
sea level
;
subduction
;
viscosity profile
;
04. Solid Earth::04.07. Tectonophysics::04.07.02. Geodynamics
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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