Island arc elements and arc-related ophiolites

Abstract

All major structural elements in island arc systems, fore-arc, magmatic arc, back-arc basins and remnant arcs, are potential ophiolite sources, and those features that allegedly characterise ophiolites of ocean-ridge origin, sheeted dyke complexes, mantling pelagic rocks, hydrothermal metamorphism and associated mineralization, can also arise within arc settings. Age relations are critical in the interpretation of arc-related ophiolites. Remnants of oceanic lithosphere, identified by a pre-arc initiation age, are restricted to fore-arc, magmatic arc and remnant arc elements, as are ophiolite masses generated at the inception of underthrusting. The latter, apparently common in ancient fore-arc terrains, form in nascent arc systems in which the rate of role back of the subduction hinge exceeds the rate of convergence. Spreading occurs above a foundering slab resulting in some arc-like compositional features. In simple arc systems later ophiolitic rocks have formed either in the active back-arc basin or the magmatic arc. Only those ophiolites that have resided within or very close behind magmatic arcs should show calcalkaline or arc tholeiite magmatic affinities, or be intruded or overlain by these rocks. Volcanic-derived sediment or pelagic material may mantle ophiolites from all arc settings, but pelagic rocks will generally dominate in stratigraphic sequences above remnant arcs and on back-arc basin floors except adjacent to the magmatic arc. Ophiolites generated at major ocean ridges are unlikely to be immediately overlain by sediment with a significant volcanic component whereas such detritus may lie directly on arc-inception, arc and back-arc ophiolites. Some arc-derived ophiolites are preserved in their original tectonic position, others can be identified from their internal features, their relationship to other tectonic elements, and the nature of associated rocks.