Some features of the arc‐continent collision zone in the Ryukyu subduction system, Taiwan Junction area

Abstract

Abstract To the northeast of Taiwan, northwestward subduction of the Philippine Sea plate is occurring beneath the Eurasian plate along the Ryukyu Trench. The Ryukyu Trench, which is well defined along the northeastern part of the Ryukyu arc, cannot be easily defined west of 123° east. This is an area where the Gagua Ridge (whose origin is controversial) enters the trench from the south. On the basis of the marine geophysical survey data the following results have been obtained. The structural elements associated with the Ryukyu subduction system deform and partially disappear west of 123° east. Among other things the Ryukyu Trench terminates close to the western slope of the Gagua Ridge. The Gagua Ridge is the result of tectonic heaping and is likely to be an uplifted sliver of oceanic crust. The interaction between the Ryukyu subduction system and the Taiwan collision zone encompasses a wide region from Taiwan to the longitude 124.5° east. The Gagua Ridge is a boundary between the active deformation zone related to the collision in Taiwan and the West Philippine Basin. It is proposed that there is a tectonic zone that can be traced from the Okinawa Trough on the north to the southern termination of the Gagua Ridge on the south.