Mountain Uplift and Oceanic Carbon Cycle Response under Subduction Zone Tectonic-Climate Coupling

Abstract

This study investigates the complex interplay between tectonic processes in circum-Pacific subduction zones and the global carbon cycle, with a particular focus on the Andean mountain system. Through integration of geochemical data, climate modeling, and paleoceanographic records, we demonstrate that subduction-driven mountain uplift significantly influences marine carbon sequestration via its effects on silicate weathering and riverine fluxes. Our findings reveal that the carbon cycle response to orogenic processes is more nuanced than previously understood, with evidence for both carbon release and sequestration depending on erosion rates and lithology. Using strontium isotope ratios and sediment core analysis, we quantify the contribution of Andean weathering to oceanic carbon burial over million-year timescales. The results indicate a strong coupling between tectonic forcing and climate feedback mechanisms that may help explain long-term climate stability despite significant variations in atmospheric CO₂. This research provides critical insights into the geological carbon cycle that may inform predictions of future carbon cycle perturbations.