Deformation of subduction zone eclogite and its significance for the subduction-exhumation processes

Eclogite is an important rock type within both oceanic and continental subduction zones and plays significant roles in revealing the formation and evolution of subduction zones, thermal structure and crust-mantle interaction. Studies of eclogite deformation enable us to understand the process of subduction and exhumation of rocks from the ancient subduction zones. This paper gives a systematic summary of the progress in the study of microstructures, deformation mechanisms and related influence factors in both natural and synthesized eclogite minerals (garnets, omphacite, etc.) in high-pressure metamorphic belts. The authors try then to probe into the significance of eclogite deformation in the study of reconstruction of the subduction and exhumation processes and some problems that still remain to be solved.