VISCO-ELASTIC FE MODELING OF CONVERGENT PLATE MARGINS FOR UNDERSTANDING DEFORMATION TOPOLOGY IN TWO DIMENSIONAL

Abstract

Crustaal deformation in vertical direction is higher at convergent plate margins when compared to other plate margins. Even though there are three types of convergent plate margins observed between contin ental-continental plate, oceanic-continental plate and oceanic-oceanic plate, this study considders only the interaction between oceanic plate and continental plate which are resting on lithospheric mantle to understand the topography effect on continnental plate. Two dimensional finite element models are developed and analyzed using commercially available software ABAQUS. Contact properties are defined between plates so that effect of friction is calculated. All plates have an elaasto-visco rheology and analysis is carried for 30000 yeears. The models demonstrate that inclination angles leading to subduction or collision effects the length of vertical deformation profile. Also, increasing the coefficient of friction decreases the vertiical deformation but increases the amount of subsidence. This study concludes inclination angle and coefficient of friction plays a vital role foor the development of higher topographic regions at convergent plate margins.