The dip angles of slabs are among the clearest characteristics of subduction zones, but the factors that control them remain obscure. Here, slab dip angles and subduction parameters, including subduction duration, the nature of the overriding plate, slab age, and convergence rate, are determined for 153 transects along subduction zones for the present day. We present a comprehensive tabulation of subduction duration based on isotopic ages of arc initiation and stratigraphic, structural, plate tectonic and seismic indicators of subduction initiation. We present two ages for subduction zones, a long‐term age and a reinitiation age. Using cross correlation and multivariate regression, we find that (1) subduction duration is the primary parameter controlling slab dips with slabs tending to have shallower dips at subduction zones that have been in existence longer; (2) the long‐term age of subduction duration better explains variation of shallow dip than reinitiation age; (3) overriding plate nature could influence shallow dip angle, where slabs below continents tend to have shallower dips; (4) slab age contributes to slab dip, with younger slabs having steeper shallow dips; and (5) the relations between slab dip and subduction parameters are depth dependent, where the ability of subduction duration and overriding plate nature to explain observed variation decreases with depth. The analysis emphasizes the importance of subduction history and the long‐term regional state of a subduction zone in determining slab dip and is consistent with mechanical models of subduction.

中文翻译：

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俯冲持续时间和平板倾角

平板的倾角是俯冲带最明显的特征之一，但控制它们的因素仍然不清楚。在这里，今天确定了沿俯冲带的153个断面的俯冲板倾角和俯冲参数，包括俯冲持续时间，上覆板的性质，板坯年龄和收敛速度。我们根据弧起始的同位素年龄以及俯冲起始的地层，结构，板块构造和地震指标，提供了俯冲持续时间的综合列表。我们给出了俯冲带的两个年龄，一个长期年龄和一个重新开始年龄。使用互相关和多元回归，我们发现（1）俯冲持续时间是控制平板倾角的主要参数，平板在俯冲带的倾角往往较浅，而俯冲带的存在时间较长。（2）俯冲持续时间的长期年龄比重新开始年龄更好地解释了浅倾角的变化；（3）俯冲板块的性质会影响浅倾角，而大陆以下的板块往往具有较浅的倾角；（4）板坯年龄是板坯倾角的原因，较年轻的板坯的倾角较浅。（5）平板倾角与俯冲参数之间的关系与深度有关，俯冲持续时间和覆岩性质解释观测变化的能力随深度而降低。