Deforming process of oceanic lithospheric plates in subduction zone

On the base of variation finite element method for visco-elastic foliated shells, which were in quasi stationary loading process, it was carried out modeling of different types oceanic lithosphere deforming processes at the different stages of its sinking into viscous mantle in subduction zone. It was shown, that dependently on type and sinking stage, lithosphere was under influence of stretching and bending deformations of different intensity. In early stages of sinking young oceanic lithosphere was under influence of more strong bending deformations in comparison with more old and thick lithosphere. But on the subsequent sinking stages more old and quick lithosphere demonstrated more intensive bending deforming process. Stretching deforming processes for all types of oceanic lithosphere during all sinking stages passed approximately linearly along slab length. On the late stages of sinking the intensity of stretching and bending deforming processes of all types of oceanic lithosphere was defined by its sinking velocity. During further sinking process, if it takes place, oceanic lithosphere of any type are deforming by characteristic way and gets form in view of letter “S”.