Formation of a deep slab and early volatile release

Determine whether a deep slab can form and begin releasing volatiles within the few-million-year timescale associated with subduction initiation, before or during the onset of volcanism in the Lesser Antilles.

Background

The simulations produce plate buckling, substantial deformational heating, and conditions potentially sufficient for partial melting within approximately five million years, even though a clearly developed cold slab is absent. This raises the unresolved issue of whether volcanism during subduction initiation necessarily indicates that a deep slab has already formed and begun supplying volatiles.

The question is important for interpreting the timing of Lesser Antilles volcanism and for distinguishing thermal effects generated during transient deformation from melting driven by volatile release from established subduction.