The West Philippine Basin: An Eocene to early Oligocene back arc basin opened between two opposed subduction zones

Abstract

Based on geological and geophysical data collected from the West Philippine Basin and its boundaries, we propose a comprehensive Cenozoic history of the basin. Our model shows that it is a back arc basin that developed between two opposed subduction zones. Rifting started around 55 Ma and spreading ended at 33/30 Ma. The initial spreading axis was parallel to the paleo‐Philippine Arc but became inactive when a new spreading ridge propagated from the eastern part of the basin, reaching the former one at an R‐R‐R triple junction. Spreading occurred mainly from this second axis, with a quasi‐continuous counter‐clockwise rotation of the spreading direction. The Gagua and Palau‐Kyushu ridges acted as transform margins accommodating the opening. Arc volcanism occurred along the Palau‐Kyushu Ridge (eastern margin) during the whole opening of the basin, whereas the paleo‐Philippine Arc decreased its activity between 43 and 36 Ma. The western margin underwent a compressive event in late Eocene‐early Oligocene time, leading to the rising of the Gagua Ridge and to a short subduction episode along Eastern Luzon. In the western part of the basin, the spreading system was highly disorganized due to the presence of a mantle plume. Overlapping spreading centers and ridge jumps occurred toward the hot region and a microplate developed. Shortly after the end of the spreading, a late stage of amagmatic extension occurred between 30 and 26 Ma in the central part of the basin, being responsible for the deep rift valley that cut across the older spreading fabric.