Which mechanism determines the rate of sediment subduction along an accretionary wedge?

💡 Explanation

When sediments are subducted in an accretionary wedge, sediment compaction and dewatering affect effective stress, which influences pore water pressure and thus controls the sediment strength at which they deform and subduct. Therefore, effective stress mediates sediment subduction rate, rather than mantle convection, erosion balance, or sea-level changes that operate independently.

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