What is ExTerra?
Studies of rocks exhumed from paleo-subduction zones (Exhumed Terranes) contribute greatly to our understanding of the materials and processes that are hidden beneath the surface in active subduction zones. During active subduction, rocks of the subducting slab, mantle wedge, and arc crust are located deep beneath the Earth’s surface. As a result, direct observation of these rocks can only be carried out subsequent to exhumation. Studies of these rocks are conducted at multiple locations representing different paleo-subduction zones most often by multiple research groups, using different techniques and approaches, with the goal of representing a comprehensive range of structural settings and pressure and temperature conditions. The goal of ExTerra is to organize research on exhumed terranes in order to accomplish more as a collective than we can as independent researchers.