Analogue modeling of arc and backarc deformation in the New Hebrides arc and North Fiji Basin

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2002 Analogue modeling of arc and backarc deformation in the New Hebrides arc and North Fiji Basin W.P. Schellart; W.P. Schellart 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G.S. Lister; G.S. Lister 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M.W. Jessell M.W. Jessell 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information W.P. Schellart 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia G.S. Lister 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia M.W. Jessell 1Epsilon Laboratory, Australian Crustal Research Centre, School of Geosciences, P.O. Box 28E, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 13 Sep 2001 Revision Received: 28 Nov 2001 Accepted: 28 Nov 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2002) 30 (4): 311–314. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0311:AMOAAB>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 13 Sep 2001 Revision Received: 28 Nov 2001 Accepted: 28 Nov 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation W.P. Schellart, G.S. Lister, M.W. Jessell; Analogue modeling of arc and backarc deformation in the New Hebrides arc and North Fiji Basin. Geology 2002;; 30 (4): 311–314. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0311:AMOAAB>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In most backarc basins, extension is perpendicular to the arc. Thus individual spreading ridges extend approximately parallel to the arc. In the North Fiji Basin, however, several ancient and active spreading ridges strike 70°–90° to the New Hebrides arc. These high- angle spreading ridges relocated southward during the asymmetric opening of the North Fiji Basin. We have simulated the structural development of the North Fiji Basin and the New Hebrides arc with scaled analogue models, and the results have inspired us to come to several tentative conclusions. We interpret the orientation of the high-angle spreading ridges to be related to the asymmetric opening of the backarc basin around a hinge, where they form close to the hinge. Relocation of these spreading ridges is most likely related to subduction of the West Torres Plateau along the New Hebrides Trench. This resulted in localized collision, retarded rollback of the subducting slab along the northwest corner of the trench, and reduced extension and shearing in the northwest corner of the North Fiji Basin. Backarc extension continued in the rest of the North Fiji Basin owing to continued rollback of the southern part of the subducting slab. Here, active extension was separated from the slightly or nonextending northwest corner by a zone striking at high angle to the New Hebrides arc, i.e., the Hazel Holme extensional zone. Moreover, impingement of the d'Entrecasteaux Ridge into the overriding plate led to local deformation and fragmentation of the arc. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.