Abstract

Documenting the early tectonic and magmatic evolution of the Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) arc system in the Western Pacific is critical for understanding the process and cause of subduction initiation along the current convergent margin between the Pacific and Philippine Sea plates. Forearc igneous sections provide firm evidence for seafloor spreading at the time of subduction initiation (52 Ma) and production of “forearc basalt”. Ocean floor drilling (International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 351) recovered basement-forming, low-Ti tholeiitic basalt crust formed shortly after subduction initiation but distal from the convergent margin (nominally reararc) of the future IBM arc (Amami Sankaku Basin: ASB). Radiometric dating of this basement gives an age range (49.3–46.8 Ma with a weighted average of 48.7 Ma) that overlaps that of basalt in the present-day IBM forearc, but up to 3.3 m.y. younger than the onset of forearc basalt activity. Similarity in age range and geochemical character between the reararc and forearc basalts implies that the ocean crust newly formed by seafloor spreading during subduction initiation extends from fore- to reararc of the present-day IBM arc. Given the age difference between the oldest forearc basalt and the ASB crust, asymmetric spreading caused by ridge migration might have taken place. This scenario for the formation of the ASB implies that the Mesozoic remnant arc terrane of the Daito Ridges comprised the overriding plate at subduction initiation. The juxtaposition of a relatively buoyant remnant arc terrane adjacent to an oceanic plate was more favourable for subduction initiation than would have been the case if both downgoing and overriding plates had been oceanic.

Highlights

  • IntroductionAmong the proposed hypotheses for the fundamentally important process of subduction zone initiation, two seem most widely relevant (e.g., Stern, 2004; Gerya, 2011): spontaneous initiation (e.g., Matsumoto and Tomoda, 1983; Stern and Bloomer, 1992; Stern, 2004; Nikolaeva et al, 2010), and induced (or forced) ini-tiation (e.g., McKenzie, 1977; Gurnis et al, 2004; Maffione et al, 2015)

  • Stern (2004) suggested the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc (IBM arc) in the Western Pacific represents an example of spontaneous subduction initiation wherein subsidence of relatively old and dense Pacific lithosphere commenced along transform faults/fracture zones bounded by relatively buoyant lithosphere

  • This age overlaps with the age range of forearc basalt from the IBM forearc, but is up to 3.3 m.y. younger than the onset of that forearc basalt activity, regarded as the marker for subduction initiation

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Summary

Introduction

Among the proposed hypotheses for the fundamentally important process of subduction zone initiation, two seem most widely relevant (e.g., Stern, 2004; Gerya, 2011): spontaneous initiation (e.g., Matsumoto and Tomoda, 1983; Stern and Bloomer, 1992; Stern, 2004; Nikolaeva et al, 2010), and induced (or forced) ini-tiation (e.g., McKenzie, 1977; Gurnis et al, 2004; Maffione et al, 2015). Among the proposed hypotheses for the fundamentally important process of subduction zone initiation, two seem most widely relevant (e.g., Stern, 2004; Gerya, 2011): spontaneous initiation (e.g., Matsumoto and Tomoda, 1983; Stern and Bloomer, 1992; Stern, 2004; Nikolaeva et al, 2010), and induced (or forced) ini-. Induced initiation may be triggered by externally forced compression, for example, along a pre-existing discontinuity, such as a fracture zone. Stern (2004) suggested the Izu–Bonin–Mariana arc (IBM arc) in the Western Pacific represents an example of spontaneous subduction initiation wherein subsidence of relatively old and dense Pacific lithosphere commenced along transform faults/fracture zones bounded by relatively buoyant lithosphere.

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