Abstract The pressure–temperature evolution of subduction zone plate interfaces governs metamorphism, fluid migration, deformation, and seismicity. Temperature estimates from natural rocks are frequently higher than those predicted by subduction models, particularly for 2.5 GPa. To investigate this discrepancy, this study re‐examines published numerical models that simulate exhumation during subduction. The analysis shows that, at equivalent pressure, interface temperatures are considerably colder during pure subduction (without exhumation) than during later stages when subduction and exhumation occur simultaneously. This warming arises from advective heat transport, as exhuming rocks carry heat upward and raise interface temperatures. Clockwise paths of exhumed rocks support this mechanism. Including advective heating during exhumation can align model predictions with rock‐based – data. A scaling analysis using the Péclet number generalizes the results and allows estimating the impact of exhumation‐related heat advection to subduction zones.
Stefan M. Schmalholz (Sun,) studied this question.