Dynamic processes of the curved subduction system in Southeast Asia: A review and future perspective

Abstract Southeast Asia is located in an important regional geodynamic intersection zone surrounded by inward subduction systems on three sides, consisting the largest and most complicated convergent subduction system in the earth. The deep circulation and ultimate destination of the subducted material have always been an elusive scientific mystery, lacking both systematic scientific observation and accepted theoretical models. In this review we present geophysical, geochemical and geodynamical models in last decades regarding the seismic tomographic deep structure, material exchanges and evolution history of the Curved Subduction System (CSS) in SE Asia, and identify remained challenges in constructing the deep mantle structure and quantifying the feedback between the subducting slab and the interior recycling materials relevant to the dynamic processes within the theme of mass and energy transfer. We propose that increased understanding of seismic tomography within the CSS, combined with geochemical analysis and computational geodynamic modeling, will aid clearer portrayal of the dynamic mechanisms controlling the evolution of such ring-shape subduction systems on Earth.