A seismic reflection image for the base of a tectonic plate

A high-resolution image for the base of an oceanic plate that is subducting beneath North Island, New Zealand, reveals a channel, which is interpreted as a sheared zone of ponded partial melts or volatiles; this low-viscosity channel decouples the plate from mantle flow beneath, allowing plate tectonics to work. Tim Stern and co-authors use explosion-generated seismic waves to form a high-resolution image of the base of an oceanic plate that is...