Laboratory experiments of slab break-off and slab dip reversal: insight into the Alpine Oligocene reorganization.

We present laboratory experiments to study the consequence of the rupture of a subducting slab on the deep geometry of the subduction zone. In our experiments, slab break-off occurs after the entrance of buoyant material at trench causing a slowing down of the subduction and producing an increase of the shortening rate and a transient episode of subduction dip reversal. We discuss the potential application of these processes to the recent collisional evolution of the Alps proposing that the rupture of the slab produced a reorganization of the belt with a transition from one sided to a doubly vergent orogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]