Variable surface area tire tread and tire

Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread (10) having a contact surface (16) and a plurality of wear layers, each said layer being located at a different depth of the tire tread, the tread comprising: one or more tread elements (12) including a contact surface (16) and having a first wear layer and a second wear layer, wherein the second wear layer is located below the first wear layer. A submerged longitudinal groove (20) extends in a longitudinal direction within the second wear layer of the tread element, wherein said longitudinal groove becomes exposed after a depth of the first wear layer has been worn. A longitudinal sipe (22) extends within the first wear layer between the contact surface and the longitudinal groove; one or more submerged lateral grooves (24) extend from the longitudinal groove in a lateral direction within the second wear layer of the tread element. One or more lateral sipes (26) extend within the first wear layer between the contact surface and