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slab sea anchor
References
Images
Four-panel diagram showing the geological process of back-arc basin formation above a subducting oceanic plate. Each panel illustrates stages in which melted rock rises above the subducting plate, forming an arc, back-arc rift, spreading center, and eventually a back-arc basin, with labeled features including ocean, crust, trench, asthenosphere, and new volcanic arcs.
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slab sea anchor

marine geology
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Learn about this topic in these articles:

  • back-arc basin
    back-arc basin

    …may serve as a “sea anchor” by remaining fixed in place relative to the top of the subducting plate. In the latter case, the enlargement of the basin forces the trailing part of the overlying plate to move in the opposite direction.

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    …may serve as a “sea anchor” by remaining fixed in place relative to the top of the subducting plate. In the latter case, the enlargement of the basin forces the trailing part of the overlying plate to move in the opposite direction.

    Read More