TY  - JOUR
A1  - Ulvrova, Martina M.
A1  - Brune, Sascha
A1  - Williams, Simon E.
T1  - Breakup Without Borders
T2  - Geophysical research letters
N2  - Relative plate motions during continental rifting result from the interplay of local with far-field forces. Here we study the dynamics of rifting and breakup using large-scale numerical simulations of mantle convection with self-consistent evolution of plate boundaries. We show that continental separation follows a characteristic evolution with four distinctive phases: (1) an initial slow rifting phase with low divergence velocities and maximum tensional stresses, (2) a synrift speed-up phase featuring an abrupt increase of extension rate with a simultaneous drop of tensional stress, (3) the breakup phase with inception of fast sea-floor spreading, and (4) a deceleration phase occurring in most but not all models where extensional velocities decrease. We find that the speed-up during rifting is compensated by subduction acceleration or subduction initiation even in distant localities. Our study illustrates new links between local rift dynamics, plate motions, and subduction kinematics during times of continental separation.
Y1  - 2019
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/50212
SN  - 0094-8276
SN  - 1944-8007
VL  - 46
IS  - 3
SP  - 1338
EP  - 1347
PB  - American Geophysical Union
CY  - Washington
ER  -