Press highlights
Scientists Reveal Hidden Secret That Helped Make the Great Lakes – Newsweek, Jan 2025
Canada Has Been Hiding Earth’s Missing Tectonic Plate This Whole Time – Popular Mechanics, Oct 2020
Plate tectonics runs deeper than we thought – Ars Technics, Oct 2019
Lost tectonic history recovered from Earth’s deep mantle – Dietmar Müller in Nature News & Views, Jan 2019
Extra layer of tectonic plates discovered within Earth’s mantle, scientists say – The Guardian, May 2017
Blame plate tectonics for the disappearance of this ancient sea – Washington Post, Aug 2016
Peer-reviewed Publications
* = advised student or postdoc author
2025
Wang, F., Wei, S.S., Ruppert, N.A., Zhang, H., Wu, J., accepted. Slab morphology, dehydration, and sub-arc melting beneath the Alaska Peninsula revealed by body-wave tomography, Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth.
Fuston, S.*, Colli, L., Wu, J., accepted. Cretaceous collision reconciles western North American tectonics with deep mantle slabs, in, Gordon, S., Tikoff, B., Rusmore, M., Miller, B., eds., GSA Special Paper “Jurassic-Paleogene tectonic evolution of the North American Cordillera”.
Fuston, S.*, Wu, J., Colli, L., accepted. A discussion of uncertainty in North American plate tectonic reconstructions from lower mantle slabs, in, Gordon, S., Tikoff, B., Rusmore, M., Miller, B., eds., GSA Special Paper “Jurassic-Paleogene tectonic evolution of the North American Cordillera”.
Zhao, Q., Yan, Y., Tonai, S., Dilek, Y., Carter, A., Clift, P., Wu, J., Sibuet, J.-C., Zhang, X., 2025. A newly identified ‘Proto-Kenting Mélange (S. Taiwan)’ Represents a Missing Link for a continuous Early Cretaceous Paleo-Pacific Subduction-Accretion System, Tectonics, 44, e2024TC008456. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024TC008456
Ribeiro, J., Ryan, J., Wu, J., Can hot and cold slabs transport volatiles into the deep mantle beyond subduction zone magmatism?, 2025. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 26, e2024GC011694. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GC011694 [Open Access]
Humphreys, E., Clennett, E., Wu, J., Van Buer, N., accepted. Reconciling Baja-BC and flat Shatsky conjugate subduction beneath the western U.S., in, Gordon, S., Tikoff, B., Rusmore, M., Miller, B., eds., GSA Special Paper “Jurassic-Paleogene tectonic evolution of the North American Cordillera”.
2024
Li, A., Tao, Z., Wu., J., Fischer, K., 2024. Revealing the Cape Verde hotspot track across the Great Lakes, Geophysical Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110777 [Open Access]
Calvelage, C.*, Wu, J., Colli, L., Lin, Y.-A.*, Zheng, Y., 2024. Linking deep-time subduction history to modern day expressions of dynamic topography, Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 480, 2301, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2024.0254 [Open Access]
Sibuet, J.C., Liu, S., Zhao, M., Wu, W., Wu, Y.-M., Cheng, J., Wu, J., 2024. A revolution in understanding SE Asia geodynamics since 20.5-18 Ma, Tectonophysics, 884, 230397, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2024.230397
Qian, S., Wu, J.-T.*, Wu, J., 2024. Philippine Sea plate and surrounding magmatism reveal the Antarctic-Zealandia, Pacific, and Indian mantle domain boundaries, Nature Communications Earth and Environment, 5, 183, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01326-6 [Open Access]
Wu, J., Wu, T.-J.*, Yamaoka, K., 2024. Linking Pacific Plate Motions to Metamorphism and Magmatism in Japan During Cretaceous to Paleogene Times, in “Metamorphic Duality in SW Japan — The Sanbagawa-Ryoke Classic Example of Paired Metamorphism”, Elements, 20, 2, 103-109, https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.20.2.103 [Open Access]
Chen, Y.-W.*, Wu, J., Goes, S., 2024. Lesser Antilles slab reconstruction reveals lateral slab transport under the Caribbean since 50 Ma, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 627, 118561, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118561
Liao, J., Lu, Z., Huangfu P., Xu, T., Zhao, L., Zhong, S., Wu, J., 2024. Editorial: Episodic Plate Destruction and Construction in Southeast Asia: Observations, Modeling, and Case Studies, Frontiers in Earth Sciences, 12, 1393757, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1393757 [Open Access]
Zhang, R., Zhang, B., Zhu, H., Sibuet, J.C., Briais, A., Wu, J., Susilohadi, S., Zeng, H., Chen, J., Zhong, G., 2024. Introduction to special section: South China Sea deep structures and tectonics, SEG Interpretation, https://doi.org/10.1190/int-2024-0307-spseintro.1
Rao, G., Chen, W., Yan, D.-P., Tian, Y., Deng, B., Luo, G., Wu, J., 2024. Editorial: Lithosphere and Surface Processes of the Sichuan Basin and Surrounding Areas: Resources and Environmental Effects, Frontiers in Earth Science, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1435918 [Open Access]
Ding, W., Huang, X., Zhao, L., Wu, J., Dimalanta, C., Pubellier, M., Wang, F., 2024. Dynamic processes of the Southeast (SE) Asia convergent system and its impact on continental deformation and marginal basin formation: Preface, Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2024.230314
2023
Rahimzadeh Bajgiran, M.*, Colli, L., Wu, J., 2023, Assessing large-scale mantle compositional heterogeneity from machine learning analysis of 28 global P- and S-wave tomography models, Geophysical Journal International, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggad373
Zhou, Y., Carter, A., Wu, J., Liu, H., Yan, Y., Zhu, Z., Liu, W., Zhao, Q., Liu Q, 2023, Nature of Paleo-Pacific subduction along the East Asian continental margin: Insights from the sedimentary record of West Sarawak, Borneo, Geophysical Research Letters, 50, e2022GL102370, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102370
Zhang, J., Zhang, G.-L., Wu, J., 2023. Geochemical and geochronological constraints for the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the SW Mariana subduction zone. Deep Sea Research Part 1: Oceanographic Research Papers, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2023.104039
2022
Lin, Y.A.*, Colli, L., Wu, J., 2022. NW Pacific-Panthalassa intra-oceanic subduction during Mesozoic times from mantle convection and geoid models, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 23, e2022GC010514, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GC010514 [Open Access]
Wu, T.-J.*, Wu, J., Alexandrov, I., Lapen, T., Lee, H.-Y., Ivin, V., 2022. Continental growth during migrating arc magmatism and terrane accretion at Sikhote-Alin (Russian Far East) and adjacent northeast Asia, Lithos, 432-433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106891 [Open Access]
Qian, S.-P., Salters, V.J.M., McCoy-West, A. J., Wu, J., Rose-Kogam E.F., Nichols, A., Zhang, L., Zhou, H., 2022. Highly heterogeneous mantle caused by recycling of oceanic lithosphere from the mantle transition zone, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 593, 117679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117679
Wu, J., Lin, Y.-A.*, Flament, N., Wu, T.-S.*, Liu, Y, 2022. Northwest Pacific-Izanagi plate tectonics since Cretaceous times from imaged and predicted mantle structure, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 583, 117445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2022.117445 [Open Access]
Wu, J. T.-J.*, Wu, J., Okamoto, K., 2022. Intra-oceanic arc accretion along northeast Asia during Early Cretaceous provides a plate tectonic context for North China craton destruction, Earth Science Reviews, 226, 103952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.103952 [Open Access]
2021
Rao, G., Lu, R., Le Beon, M., Delcaillau, B., Wu, J., Graveleau, F., 2021. Editorial: Active Fold-and-Thrust Belts: From Present-Day Deformation to Structural Architecture and Modelling. Frontiers in Earth Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.816157 [Open Access]
Sibuet, J.C., Zhao, M., Wu, J., Lee, C.-S., 2021. Geodynamic and kinematic context of South China Sea subduction during Okinawa trough opening and Taiwan orogeny, Tectonophysics, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2021.229050
Qian, S.-P., Zhang, X., Wu, J., Lallemand, S., Nichols, A., Huang, C.-Y., Miggins, D.P., Zhou, H., 2021. First identification of a Cathaysian continental fragment beneath the Gagua Ridge, Philippine Sea, and its tectonic implications, Geology, https://doi.org/10.1130/G48956.1
Amonpantang, P.*, Wu, J., 2021. Structural characterization of the Phitsanulok basin, onshore Thailand, and regional tectonic implications, Marine and Petroleum Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.105110
Ward. J., Rosenbaum, G., Ubide, T., Wu, J., Caulfield, J., Sandiford, M., Gürer, D., 2021. Geophysical and geochemical constraints on the formation of Holocene intraplate volcanism in East Asia, Earth Science Reviews, 218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103624
Hussein, M., Stewart, R., Sacrey, D., Johnston, D.H., Wu, J., 2021, Unsupervised machine learning for time-lapse seismic studies and reservoir monitoring, SEG Interpretation. https://doi.org/10.1190/int-2020-0176.1
Chen, Y.-W.*, Colli, L., Bird, D.E., Wu., J., Zhu, H., 2021, Caribbean plate tilted and actively dragged eastwards by low viscosity asthenospheric flow, 2021, Nature Communications, 12, 1603. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21723-1 [Open Access]
Hussein, M., Stewart, R., Sacrey, D., Wu, J., Athale, R., 2021. Unsupervised machine learning using 3D seismic data applied to reservoir evaluation and rock type identification, SEG Interpretation, 9(2), T549-T568. https://doi.org/10.1190/int-2020-0108.1
Hussein, M., Stewart, R., Wu, J., 2021. Which seismic attributes are best for subtle fault detection?, SEG Interpretation, 9(2), T299-T314. https://doi.org/10.1190/int-2020-0068.1
Fuston, S.*, Wu, J., 2021. Raising the Resurrection plate from an unfolded-slab plate tectonic reconstruction of northwestern North America since early Cenozoic time, GSA Bulletin, 133 (5-6), 1128-1140. https://doi.org/10.1130/B35677.1 [Open Access]
2020 and earlier
Lin, Y.A.*, Colli, L., Wu, J., Schubert, B., 2020. Where are the proto-South China Sea slabs? SE Asian plate tectonics and mantle flow history from global mantle convection modeling, Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth, 125,12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB019758 [Open Access]
Wu, J., McClay, K.R., De Vera, J. 2020. Growth of triangle zone fold-thrusts within the NW Borneo deepwater fold belt, offshore Sabah, southern South China Sea. Geosphere, https://doi.org/10.1130/GES02106.1 [Open Access]
Li, L. and Chen, Y-W.*, Zheng, Y., Hu, H., Wu, J., 2019. Seismic Evidence for Plume-Slab Interaction by High-resolution Imaging of the 410-km Discontinuity Under Tonga, Geophysical Research Letters, 46, 13687-13694. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084164 [Open Access]
Zhao, M., Sibuet, J.C., Wu, J., 2019. The South China Sea and Philippine Sea plate intermingled fates, National Science Review, 6, 5, 886-890. https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz107 [Open Access]
Wu, J.T-S.*, Wu, J., 2019. Izanagi-Pacific ridge subduction revealed by a 56 to 46 Ma magmatic gap along the NE Asian margin, Geology, 47, 10, 953-957. https://doi.org/10.1130/G46778.1 [Open Access]
Amonpantang, P.*, Bedle, H., Wu, J., 2019, Multi-attribute analysis for channel element discrimination in the Taranaki basin, New Zealand, SEG Interpretation, 7, 2 SBi-T563. doi: 10.1190/int-2018-0174.1.
Chen, Y.-W.*, Wu, J., Suppe, J., 2019. Southward propagation of Nazca subduction along the Andes. Nature, 565, 441-447. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0860-1.
Liu, S., Zhao, M., Sibuet, J.C., Qiu, X., Wu, J., Zhang, J., Chen, C., Xu, Y., Sun, T., 2019, Geophysical constraints on the lithospheric structure in the northeastern South China Sea and its implications for the South China Sea geodynamics, Tectonophysics, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2018.06.002.
Wu, J., Suppe, J., 2018, Proto-South China Sea plate tectonics using subducted slab constraints from tomography, Journal of Earth Science, doi: 10.1007/s12583-017-0813-x [Open Access]
Wu, J.E., Suppe, J., Lu, R.Q., Kanda, R.V.S., 2016, Philippine Sea and East Asian plate tectonics since 52 Ma constrained by new subducted slab reconstruction methods, Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth, 121, 6, 4670-4741, doi: 10.1002/2016JB012923 [Open Access]
Wu, J.E., McClay, K.R., Frankowicz, E., 2015, Niger Delta gravity-driven deformation above the relict Chain and Charcot oceanic fracture zones, Gulf of Guinea: insights from analogue models, Marine and Petroleum Geology, 65, 43-62, doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2015.03.008.
Lu, R., He, D., Suppe, J., Wu, J.E., Liu, B., Chen, Y.G., 2014, Structural model of the central Longmen Shan thrusts using seismic reflection profiles: Implications for the sediments and deformations since the Mesozoic, Tectonophysics, 630, 43–53, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2014.05.003.
Sugan, M., Wu, J.E., McClay, K.R, 2014, 3D analogue modelling of transtensional pull-apart basins: comparison to the Cinarcik Basin, Marmara Sea, Turkey, Bollettino di Geofisica Teorica e Applicata, 55, 4, 699-716, doi: 10.4430/bgta0129.
Wu, J.E., McClay, K.R., Whitehouse, P., Dooley, T., 2012, Chapter 14: 4D analogue modelling of transtensional pull-apart basins, In: Bally, A.W. and Roberts, D.G. eds., Phanerozoic regional geology of the world, Volume 1, Elsevier, 675 pp.
Wu, J.E. and McClay, K.R., 2011, 2D analog modeling of fold and thrust belts: dynamic interactions with syn-contractional sedimentation and erosion, In: McClay, K.R., Shaw, J.H., and Suppe, J. eds., Thrust fault-related folding, AAPG Memoir 94, 301-333, doi: 10.1306/13251343M9450.
Wu, J.E., McClay, K.R., Despinois, F., Woollard, M., Evans, R., Isa, L., Janai, S., 2010, Analogue modelling of deepwater fold and thrust belts: Dynamic interaction with syntectonic sedimentation, Trabajos de Geologia 30, 331-336. Link
Wu, J.E., McClay, K.R., Whitehouse, P., Dooley, T., 2009, 4D analogue modelling of transtensional pull-apart basins, Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26, 1608-1623, doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2008.06.007.
Ph.D. Thesis
Wu, J.E., 2010, 4D evolution of deepwater fold and thrust belt, NW Borneo, South China Sea, University of London Ph.D, Thesis, 616 pp.