Camilla Jessen
New study reveals Earth plate collapsing piece by piece.
Scientists have uncovered evidence that part of the planet’s crust is breaking apart in what they describe as a geological “train wreck”.
The findings centre on a subduction zone off the Pacific Northwest, where the Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates are sinking beneath the North American Plate.
Subduction zones are among Earth’s most powerful geological engines, responsible for earthquakes, volcanic activity and the building — and destruction — of continents.
A rare glimpse into a ‘death’ process
Researchers studying this region believe they may have captured the first clear evidence of a subducting plate in the process of dying.
Using seismic reflection imaging and earthquake records, a team led by Dr Brandon Shuck documented how the descending plate is breaking apart deep below the surface.
“Getting a subduction zone started is like trying to push a train uphill — it takes a huge effort,” Dr Shuck said. “But once it’s moving, it’s like the train is racing downhill, impossible to stop. Ending it requires something dramatic — basically, a train wreck.”
But the new observations show that Earth doesn’t deliver that “wreck” all at once.
Plates breaking apart piece by piece
The team used a 15-kilometre array of acoustic sensors to scan the plate boundary, revealing that the slab is tearing away in segments rather than collapsing in a single catastrophic event.
“So instead of a big train wreck, it’s like watching a train slowly derail, one car at a time,” Dr Shuck explained.
They identified a major fault where the plate is already heavily fractured. “It’s not 100% torn off yet, but it’s close,” he said.
Once a section detaches completely, it stops generating earthquakes, This is a sign that the rocks are no longer locked together.
The discovery could change how scientists interpret other mysterious geological regions, including Baja California, where small fragments known as microplates may be remnants of long-dead subduction zones.
Source: NewScientist
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
