On the mechanical role of smectite in subduction zones

Research Article| August 01, 1990 On the mechanical role of smectite in subduction zones Peter Vrolijk Peter Vrolijk 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1063 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Peter Vrolijk 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1063 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1990) 18 (8): 703–707. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)0182.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Peter Vrolijk; On the mechanical role of smectite in subduction zones. Geology 1990;; 18 (8): 703–707. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)0182.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Smectites, a group of hydrated phyllosilicate minerals, are often a main component of sediments entering a subduction zone. They are common in hemipelagic sediments and consist of an authigenetic component that arises from the alteration of volcanic ash intercalated in the sediment and a detrital component. Smectite-rich strata are structurally weak, retain water, and are highly porous. A review of sediment lithology in subduction zones around the world suggests that decollement zones may preferentially form in smectite-rich horizons. One consequence of this observation is that the assignment of high frictional resistance to materials in a decollement may be unwarranted. At deeper structural levels smectite is transformed to illite, a mechanically stronger mineral. Estimates of the depth of this transition coincide with the depth at which earthquakes are first detected along plate interfaces. I speculate that the smectite-illite transition in subduction zones may be an important component of sediment consolidation processes that trigger interplate seismicity. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.