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Subduction Zone Flow From Global Anisotropic Full-waveform Inversion

Description: 

Anisotropy is a key parameter for elucidating subduction-related mantle flow mechanisms, yet it remains poorly understood. Current seismic models exhibit significant discrepancies, and there is no consensus on anisotropic structure inferred from different data sets (e.g., shear-wave splitting versus surface-wave–based anisotropic models). Previous studies have suggested a correlation between trench velocity and mantle flow patterns at subduction zones based on shear-wave splitting observations. In this study, we investigate subduction-zone flow using the azimuthally and radially anisotropic full-waveform inversion model, GLAD-AZI-M28 (in prep.). The model is constructed using minor- and major-arc surface waves after 28 iterations. We systematically compare the resulting anisotropic patterns with a global compilation of SKS splitting measurements and trench velocity data. Our initial results reveal a global-scale correlation at subduction zones below 200 km depth between trench retreat and fast anisotropic directions, consistent with flow-induced anisotropy. The pattern is distinctly different in regions characterized by trench advance.

Session: New Frontiers in Seismic Observations and Modeling with Innovative Methods and Emerging Data on Earth and Other Planets [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/17/2026

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Ebru Bozdag

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Poster Number: 107

Authors