Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Forced subduction initiation recorded in the sole and crust of the Semail Ophiolite of Oman

Nature Geoscience volume 11, pages 688–695 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Subduction zones are unique to Earth and fundamental in its evolution, yet we still know little about the causes and mechanisms of their initiation. Numerical models show that far-field forcing may cause subduction initiation at weak pre-existing structures, while inferences from modern subduction zones suggest initiation through spontaneous lithospheric gravitational collapse. For both endmembers, the timing of subduction inception corresponds with initial lower plate burial, whereas coeval or delayed extension in the upper plate are diagnostic of spontaneous or forced subduction initiation, respectively. In modern systems, the earliest extension-related upper plate rocks are found in forearcs, but lower plate rocks that recorded initial burial have been subducted and are inaccessible. Here, we investigate a fossil system, the archetypal Semail Ophiolite of Oman, which exposes both lower and upper plate relics of incipient subduction stages. We show with Lu–Hf and U–Pb geochronology of the lower and upper plate material that initial burial of the lower plate occurred before 104 million years ago, predating upper plate extension and the formation of Semail oceanic crust by at least 8 Myr. Such a time lag reveals far-field forced subduction initiation and provides unequivocal, direct evidence for a subduction initiation mechanism in the geological record.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Conceptual lithospheric sections representing SSI versus ISI.
Fig. 2: Geological maps, sample locations and field relationships.
Fig. 3: Petrography of the investigated samples.
Fig. 4: Trace element content of representative garnet from samples SU-03A, WT-150 and WT-151.
Fig. 5: Geochronological results.
Fig. 6: Pressure–temperature–time evolution of the Semail metamorphic sole.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lithgow-Bertelloni, C. Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences (eds Harff, J., Meschede, M., Petersen, S. & Thiede, J.) 193–196 (Springer, Dordrecht, 2016).

  2. Stern, R. J. & Gerya, T. Subduction initiation in nature and models: a review. Tectonophysics https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2017.10.014 (2017).

  3. Stern, R. J. Subduction initiation: spontaneous and induced. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 226, 275–292 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gurnis, M., Hall, C. & Lavier, L. Evolving force balance during incipient subduction. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 5, Q07001 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Hall, C. E., Gurnis, M., Sdrolias, M., Lavier, L. L. & Mueller, R. D. Catastrophic initiation of subduction following forced convergence across fracture zones. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 212, 15–30 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Leng, W., Gurnis, M. & Asimow, P. From basalts to boninites: the geodynamics of volcanic expression during induced subduction initiation. Lithosphere 4, 511–523 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Stern, R. J. & Bloomer, S. H. Subduction zone infancy: examples from the Eocene Izu–Bonin–Mariana and Jurassic California arcs. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 104, 1621–1636 (1992).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Stern, R. J., Reagan, M., Ishizuka, O., Ohara, Y. & Whattam, S. To understand subduction initiation, study forearc crust: to understand forearc crust, study ophiolites. Lithosphere 4, 469–483 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Van Hinsbergen, D. J. et al. Dynamics of intraoceanic subduction initiation: 2. Suprasubduction zone ophiolite formation and metamorphic sole exhumation in context of absolute plate motions. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 16, 1771–1785 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Reagan, M. K. et al. Subduction initiation and ophiolite crust: new insights from IODP drilling. Int. Geol. Rev. 59, 1439–1450 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Arculus, R. J. et al. A record of spontaneous subduction initiation in the Izu–Bonin–Mariana Arc. Nat. Geosci. 8, 728–733 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Faccenna, C., Becker, T. W., Lallemand, S. & Steinberger, B. On the role of slab pull in the Cenozoic motion of the Pacific plate. Geophys. Res. Lett. 39, L03305 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Pearce, J. A., Lippard, S. J. & Roberts, S. Characteristics and tectonic significance of supra-subduction zone ophiolites. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ. 16, 74–94 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Dilek, Y. & Furnes, H. Ophiolite genesis and global tectonics: geochemical and tectonic fingerprinting of ancient oceanic lithosphere. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 123, 387–411 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Dewey, J. F. Ophiolite obduction. Tectonophysics 31, 93–120 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Jamieson, R. A. P–T paths from high temperature shear zones beneath ophiolites. J. Metamorph. Geol. 4, 3–22 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Spray, J. G. Possible causes and consequences of upper mantle decoupling and ophiolite displacement. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ. 13, 255–268 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wakabayashi, J. & Dilek, Y. Spatial and temporal relationships between ophiolites and their metamorphic soles: a test of models of forearc ophiolite genesis. Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Pap. 349, 53–64 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Williams, H. & Smyth, W. R. Metamorphic aureoles beneath ophiolite suites and alpine peridotites: tectonic implications with west Newfoundland examples. Am. J. Sci. 273, 594–621 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Agard, P. et al. Plate interface rheological switches during subduction infancy: control on slab penetration and metamorphic sole formation. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 451, 208–220 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Soret, M., Agard, P., Dubacq, B., Plunder, A. & Yamato, P. Petrological evidence for stepwise accretion of metamorphic soles during subduction infancy (Semail Ophiolite, Oman and UAE). J. Metamorph. Geol. 35, 1051–1080 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Pattison, D. R. M. Petrogenetic significance of orthopyroxene‐free garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase ± quartz‐bearing metabasites with respect to the amphibolite and granulite facies. J. Metamorph. Geol. 21, 21–34 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Palin, R. M. et al. High-grade metamorphism and partial melting of basic and intermediate rocks. J. Metamorph. Geol. 34, 871–892 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Peacock, S. M., Rushmer, T. & Thompson, A. B. Partial melting of subducting oceanic crust. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 121, 227–244 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Rioux, M. et al. Rapid crustal accretion and magma assimilation in the Oman-U.A.E. ophiolite: High precision U–Pb zircon geochronology of the gabbroic crust. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 117, B07201 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Rioux, M. et al. Tectonic development of the Samail Ophiolite: high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology and Sm–Nd isotopic constraints on crustal growth and emplacement. J. Geophys. Res. Solid Earth 118, 2085–2101 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hacker, B. R. Rapid emplacement of young oceanic lithosphere: argon geochronology of the Oman Ophiolite. Science 265, 1563–1565 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hacker, B. R., Mosenfelder, J. L. & Gnos, E. Rapid emplacement of the Oman Ophiolite: thermal and geochronologic constraints. Tectonics 15, 1230–1247 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Rioux, M. et al. Synchronous formation of the metamorphic sole and igneous crust of the Semail Ophiolite: new constraints on the tectonic evolution during ophiolite formation from high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 451, 185–195 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Warren, C. J., Parrish, R. R., Waters, D. J. & Searle, M. P. Dating the geologic history of Oman’s Semail Ophiolite: insights from U/Pb geochronology. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 150, 403–422 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Yakymchuk, C., Clark, C. & White, R. W. Phase relations, reaction sequences and petrochronology. Rev. Mineral. Geochem. 83, 13–53 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Baxter, E. F. & Scherer, E. E. Garnet geochronology: timekeeper of tectonometamorphic processes. Elements 9, 433–438 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Scherer, E. E., Cameron, K. L. & Blichert-Toft, J. Lu–Hf garnet geochronology: closure temperature relative to the Sm–Nd system and the effects of trace mineral inclusions. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 3413–3432 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Smit, M. A., Scherer, E. E. & Mezger, K. Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd garnet geochronology: chronometric closure and implications for dating petrological processes. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 381, 222–233 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Anczkiewicz, R. et al. Lu–Hf geochronology and trace element distribution in garnet: implications for uplift and exhumation of ultra-high pressure granulites in the Sudetes, SW Poland. Lithos 95, 363–380 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Hacker, B. R. & Gnos, E. The conundrum of Samail: explaining the metamorphic history. Tectonophysics 279, 215–226 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Searle, M. P., Warren, C. J., Waters, D. J. & Parrish, R. R. Structural evolution, metamorphism and restoration of the Arabian continental margin, Saih Hatat region, Oman Mountains. J. Struct. Geol. 26, 451–473 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Nicolas, A., Boudier, F., Ildefonse, B. & Ball, E. Accretion of Oman and United Arab Emirates ophiolite—discussion of a new structural map. Mar. Geophys. Res. 21, 147–180 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Boudier, F., Ceuleneer, G. & Nicolas, A. Shear zones, thrusts and related magmatism in the Oman Ophiolite: initiation of thrusting on an oceanic ridge. Tectonophysics 151, 275–296 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Ishikawa, T., Nagaishi, K. & Umino, S. Boninitic volcanism in the Oman Ophiolite: implications for thermal condition during transition from spreading ridge to arc. Geology 30, 899–902 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. MacLeod, C. J., Lissenberg, L. & Bibby, L. E. “Moist MORB” axial magmatism in the Oman Ophiolite: the evidence against a mid-ocean ridge origin. Geology 41, 459–462 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Whattam, S. A. & Stern, R. J. The “subduction initiation rule”: a key for linking ophiolites, intra-oceanic fore-arcs, and subduction initiation. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 162, 1031–1045 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Agard, P., Jolivet, L., Vrielynck, B., Burov, E. & Monié, P. Plate acceleration: the obduction trigger? Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 258, 428–441 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Duretz, T. et al. Thermo-mechanical modeling of the obduction process based on the Oman Ophiolite case. Gondwana Res. 32, 1–10 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Cowan, R. J., Searle, M. P. & Waters, D. J. Structure of the metamorphic sole to the Oman Ophiolite, Sumeini Window and Wadi Tayyin: implications for ophiolite obduction processes. Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ. 392, 155–175 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Gnos, E. Peak metamorphic conditions of garnet amphibolites beneath the Semail Ophiolite: implications for an inverted pressure gradient. Int. Geol. Rev. 40, 281–304 (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Rioux, M., Bowring, S., Cheadle, M. & John, B. Evidence for initial excess 231Pa in mid-ocean ridge zircons. Chem. Geol. 397, 143–156 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Liu, J., Bohlen, S. R. & Ernst, W. G. Stability of hydrous phases in subducting oceanic crust. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 143, 161–171 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Bloch, E., Ganguly, J., Hervig, R. & Cheng, W. 176Lu–176Hf geochronology of garnet I: experimental determination of the diffusion kinetics of Lu3+ and Hf4+ in garnet, closure temperatures and geochronological implications. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 169, 12 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Ishikawa, T., Fujisawa, S., Nagaishi, K. & Fujisawa, T. Trace element characteristics of the fluid liberated from amphibolite-facies slab: inference from the metamorphic sole beneath the Oman Ophiolite and implication for boninite genesis. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240, 355–377 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Sun, S.-s. & McDonough, W. F. Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle compositions and processes. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ. 42, 313–345 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Jarosewich, E., Nelen, J. A. & Norberg, J. A. Reference samples for electronmicroprobe analysis. Geostand. Newslett. 4, 43–47 (1980).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Pouchou, J.-L. & Pichoir, F. in Electron Probe Quantification (eds Heinrich, K. & Newbury, D.) 31 75 (Springer, New York, 1991).

  54. Jochum, K. P. et al. GeoReM: a new geochemical database for reference materials and isotopic standards. Geostand. Geoanal. Res. 29, 333–338 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Paton, C., Hellstrom, J., Paul, B., Woodhead, J. & Hergt, J. Iolite: freeware for the visualisation and processing of mass spectrometric data. J. Anal. Atom. Spectrom. 26, 2508–2518 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Münker, C., Weyer, S., Scherer, E. E. & Mezger, K. Separation of high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf) and Lu from rock samples for MS-ICPMS measurements. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 2, 2001GC000183 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Blichert-Toft, J., Boyet, M., Télouk, P. & Albarède, F. 147Sm–143Nd and 176Lu–176Hf in eucrites and the differentiation of the HED parent body. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 204, 167–181 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Blichert-Toft, J., Chauvel, C. & Albarede, F. Separation of Hf and Lu for high precision isotope analysis of rock samples by magnetic sector-multiple collector ICP-MS. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 127, 248–260 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Bizzarro, M., Baker, J. A. & Ulfbeck, D. A new digestion and chemical separation technique for rapid and highly reproducible determination of Lu/Hf and Hf isotope ratios in geological materials by MC-ICP-MS. Geostand. Geoanal. Res. 27, 133–145 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Ludwig, K. R. Isoplot 4.1. A Geochronological Toolkit for Microsoft Excel (Berkeley Geochronology Center, 2009).

  61. Scherer, E. E., Mezger, K. & Münker, C. The 176Lu decay constant discrepancy: terrestrial samples vs. meteorites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 38, A136 (2003).

    Google Scholar 

  62. Söderlund, U., Patchett, P. J., Vervoort, J. D. & Isachsen, C. E. The 176Lu decay constant determined by Lu–Hf and U–Pb isotope systematics of Precambrian mafic intrusions. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 219, 311–324 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Mattinson, J. M. Zircon U–Pb chemical abrasion (“CA-TIMS”) method: combined annealing and multi-step partial dissolution analysis for improved precision and accuracy of zircon ages. Chem. Geol. 220, 47–66 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Mattinson, J. M. Analysis of the relative decay constants of 235U and 238U by multi-step CA-TIMS measurements of closed-system natural zircon samples. Chem. Geol. 275, 186–198 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Krogh, T. E. A low-contamination method for hydrothermal decomposition of zircon and extraction of U and Pb for isotopic age determinations. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, 485–494 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Corfu, F. U–Pb age, setting and tectonic significance of the anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite suite, Lofoten–Vesterålen, Norway. J. Petrol. 45, 1799–1819 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Stacey, J. S. & Kramers, J. D. Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by a two-stage model. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 26, 207–221 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Schärer, U. The effect of initial 230Th disequilibrium on young U–Pb ages: the Makalu case, Himalaya. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 67, 191–204 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Jaffey, A. H., Flynn, K. F., Glendenin, L. E., Bentley, W. C. & Essling, A. M. Precision measurement of half-lives and specific activities of 235U and 238U. Phys. Rev. C 4, 1889–1906 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant RGPIN-2014-05681 to C.G. and RGPIN-2015-04080 to M.A.S.), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (Projects 34991 to C.G. and 229814 to M.A.S.) and European Research Council (Starting Grant 306810 (SINK) and NWO Vidi grant 864.11.004 to D.J.J.v.H). We thank M. Al Battashi (Sultanate of the Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Directorate General of Minerals) for permission to undertake field sampling in Oman.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. E4m, Département de Géologie et de Génie Géologique, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada

    Carl Guilmette & Olivier Rabeau

  2. PCIGR, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Matthijs A. Smit

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands

    Douwe J. J. van Hinsbergen & Derya Gürer

  4. Department of Geosciences and CEED, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Fernando Corfu

  5. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    Benoit Charette

  6. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Marco Maffione

  7. LabMaTer, Département de Génie Géologique, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada

    Dany Savard

Authors
  1. Carl Guilmette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matthijs A. Smit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Douwe J. J. van Hinsbergen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Derya Gürer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fernando Corfu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Benoit Charette
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Marco Maffione
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Olivier Rabeau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Dany Savard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

C.G. generated the project, led the field work, completed the petrological study and wrote the manuscript. M.S. conducted the Lu–Hf analyses and contributed to writing the manuscript. D.J.J.v.H. participated in the field work, and contributed to the rationale and writing of the manuscript. D.G. and F.C. completed the U–Pb geochronological analyses. B.C. planned and participated in the field work, and prepared and analysed the samples. M.M. organized and participated in the field work. O.R. participated in defining the rationale and writing the manuscript. D.S. conducted the laser ablation ICP analyses.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carl Guilmette.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Table 1

Electron microprobe spot analyses of garnet.

Supplementary Table 2

Laser ablation ICP-MS spot analyses of garnet.

Supplementary Tables

Supplementary Tables 3 and 4.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Guilmette, C., Smit, M.A., van Hinsbergen, D.J.J. et al. Forced subduction initiation recorded in the sole and crust of the Semail Ophiolite of Oman. Nature Geosci 11, 688–695 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0209-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0209-2

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing