Do microcontinents nucleate subduction initiation?

Subduction initiation is a pivotal process in plate tectonics. Models of subduction initiation include the collapse of passive margins, oceanic transform faults, inversion of oceanic core complexes, and ridge failure, but have ignored the potential effects of continental crust relics within the oceanic crust. In this paper, we explore the role of microcontinents on subduction initiation through 2D thermo-mechanical numerical modeling. We have considered three scenarios with variable ages of oceanic crust surrounding the microcontinent. The results suggest that microcontinents may facilitate subduction initiation at the junction between continental and oceanic crust. A large part of the microcontinent would be dragged into subduction zone and the subsequent asthenosphere upwellings would incorporate part of the microcontinent. Our numerical models add a new hypothetical scenario for subduction initiation especially for those places where young and buoyant plate subducts beneath the older and dense oceanic plate. Moreover, this model can explain the origin of exotic crust materials and ultra-high pressure minerals in the supra–subduction zone ophiolites.