平板俯衝(英語:flat slab subduction)的特點是俯衝角度有兩個折點,在淺処的震源層(seismogenic layer)與其他俯衝板塊相同,但在震源層之外的俯衝角較小(與水平面小於 30 度),並且在遠離海溝的地方恢復正常俯衝角度[1]。 平板俯衝與在墨西哥西部的下部板塊淺傾斜不同。平板俯衝可導致軟流圈的尖滅、弧形岩漿作用向內陸遷移以及導致弧形岩漿作用的最終停止[2]。 平板與被俯衝的上板之間的耦合被認為,是造成上板表面的變形改變方式,如同落基山脈一樣,是由基底核心隆起造成的[2][3].平板還可能導致大陸岩石圈下部的水化[2],形成經濟意義礦床[4]。在俯衝過程中,平板本身可能會變形或屈曲,從而導致平板上的海洋沉積物出現沉積間斷[5]。 平板俯衝的停止和弧形火山活動的反向遷移有關[2]。關於平板俯衝成因有多種假設,由於較厚(15-20 公里)並有浮力的的洋殼俯衝[6],或由於海溝的退滾並伴隨着上板塊的快速超越的,以至於增強的海溝吸力[7]。 南美洲西海岸有兩個最大的平板俯衝帶[2]。 平板俯衝佔全球俯衝帶的10%[3]。
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