Numerical modeling of North Sulawesi subduction zone: Implications for the east–west differential evolution

Geological observations have revealed a rapid evolution and obvious east–west differential evolution in the North Sulawesi subduction zone. The Celebes Sea plate has inserted itself under the north arm of Sulawesi Islands, which has simultaneously rotated clockwise. The rotation of the north arm of the Sulawesi Islands might be critical in facilitating tectonic processes, such as the slab subduction and rollback of the Celebes Sea plate. For the east–west differences along the North Sulawesi subduction zone, a numerical model with the convergence rate of the plates as the basic variable is established to quantitatively describe the evolution process of the North Sulawesi subduction zone. Our results reproduced the east–west differences of the subducting Celebes Sea plate, showing a shallow–deep–shallow subduction style. We propose that the variable velocity ratio of the overriding plate to the subducting slab could be the principal reason for the differential subduction along the strike of the North Sulawesi subduction zone. We conclude that the residual slab and the rate of the eastern continental plate limit the downward movement of the subducted slabs of the eastern Sulawesi. Furthermore, the reason for the shorter subducted slab at the extreme western Sulawesi is the fact that subduction occurs outside the rotation radius. Moreover, the widespread extension at the western Sulawesi has a limited correlation with the clockwise rotation. •We combined 2D numerical simulation with seismicity to obtain an evolution model of the North Sulawesi subduction zone.•Variable velocity ratio of the overriding plate to the subducting slab induced the East-West subduction difference.•Connection between the subduction of Celebes Sea and the rotation of the north arm of the Sulawesi Islands is discussed.