Abstract
A revised crustal thickness map for the Philippine island arc, PHILCRUST3.0, has been generated using new gravity data from the EGM2008. The gravity-derived crustal thickness is compared with crustal thickness estimates obtained using the Sr/Y ratios. PHILCRUST3.0 shows that crustal thickness in the Philippines varies from 13 to 33 km. The Philippine arc appears to be at its thinnest in areas underlain by ophiolites and young magmatic arcs. The resulting crustal thickness values are used to revisit the growth rates of the Philippine arc from magmatic and amagmatic contributions. Arc magmatism contributes more significantly to the growth of Philippine crust with rates from specific volcanoes varying from 5 to 35 km3/km/m.y. Despite being relatively young, magmatism associated with the volcanoes of the East Philippine Arc displayed a higher growth rate (32 km3/km/m.y.) compared to volcanoes belonging to older magmatic arcs in the archipelago. This is attributed to the more hydrated oceanic lithosphere subducting beneath the Philippine Trench. PHILCRUST3.0 provides the most complete crustal thickness map of the Philippines to date. This will enable the computation of crustal growth rate in areas within the Philippines where point gravity or geochemical data is not available.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
