Southwest Japan Arc Research Articles

Release of mantle helium from forearc region of the Southwest Japan arc

Shikoku, Japan, is an island located on the forearc region of the western sector of the Southwest (SW) Japan arc that was formed by subduction of the Philippine Sea plate beneath the Eurasian plate. Noble gas isotope analyses were carried out for 30 bubbling gas samples and spring water samples collected in Shikoku. In addition, chemical and carbon isotope analyses were conducted for six gas samples. Observed 3He/ 4He ratios were 0.17 R/R A to 3.56 R/R A, showing that several samples contain mantle helium components, although some samples contain helium of crustal origin. Geographical distributions of 3He/ 4He ratios show that high 3He/ 4He ratios originate mainly from two areas: one along the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), a major active fault in Japan; the other coinciding with a region in which non-volcanic long-period tremors occur, about 30 km deep [Obara, K., 2002. Nonvolcanic deep tremor associated with subduction in southwest Japan. Science 296, 1679-1681]. This fact indicates that fluids liberated from the slab in the forearc region cause deep tremors and fracturing within the crust, thereby easing the transfer of fluids to the surface that are mixed with mantle helium to the surface. An active fault system can also provide an efficient path for mantle helium transfer.

Sulfur Isotope Study on Hg and Sb Deposits in Japan

Abstract. Sulfur isotope ratios of cinnabar from Hg deposits and stibnite, jamesonite and berthierite from Sb deposits in Japan are examined in order to understand metallogeneses of Hg and Sb deposits in Japanese island arcs. The studied Hg and Sb deposits include the Hg deposit at Yamato‐suigin (Honshu) and the Sb deposit at Ichinokawa (Shikoku) in the Southwest Japan arc. In addition, Hg deposits including Itomuka and Ryushoden in central Hokkaido and Hg and Sb mineralizations in Northeast Japan arc are examined.The δ34S values of cinnabar from the Hidaka‐Kitami district, central Hokkaido, including the Itomuka and Ryushoden deposits range widely, from ‐10 to +16 %o, the highest values encountered at the Samani deposit. The δ34S values of cinnabar from other areas in Japan range from ‐12 to +5 %o, having δ34S values higher than +2 %o from southwestern Hokkaido (Meiji deposit), Shikoku (Suii deposit) and Kyushu (Hasami and Yamagano deposits). On the other hand, the δ34S values of stibnite from all areas in Japan range from ‐14 to +5 %o, having positive δ34S values higher than +2 %o up to +5 %o from southwestern Hokkaido (Yakumo, Toyotomi and Teine deposits) and eastern‐central Honshu (Hachiman and Daikoku deposits).The variation in δ34S values of Hg and Sb deposits may reflect the variation in δ34S values of country rocks or variation in mixing ratio of sulfur extracted from the country rocks, sulfur derived from seawater sulfate, and sulfur derived from magmatic emanations. The relatively high δ34S values of cinnabar and stibnite higher than +2 %o from southwestern Hokkaido, eastern‐central Honshu and Kyushu are probably caused by contribution of volcanic emanation from arc magmas having positive σδ34S values, whereas the positive δ34S values of cinnabar higher than +2 %o from Suii deposit in Shikoku may be attributed to structurally substituted sulfate in limestone country rocks and/or sulfur derived from seawater sulfate. However, the wide range of the δ34S values of cinnabar from the Hidaka‐Kitami district, central Hokkaido, is difficult to explain at this moment. Other relatively low, negative δ34S values of cinnabar and stibnite, berthierite from other areas in Japan may be attributed to 1) incorporation of isotopically light sedimentary sulfur or sulfur derived from ilmenite‐series silicic magma, or 2) less contribution of volcanic emanation from arc magmas having positive σδ34S values.

日本海拡大時の東北日本弧と西南日本弧の境界

日本海拡大時の東北日本弧と西南日本弧の境界

Whole rock geochemistry and Sr isotopic compositions of Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks in the Inner Zone of the Southwest Japan Arc

Pre-Cretaceous metasedimentary rocks occurring in the Inner Zone of the Southwest Japan Arc can be divided into three major groups, namely, high P/ T metamorphic (Renge and Suo belts), low P/ T metamorphic (Hida-Oki, Ryoke and Higo belts), and accretionary terranes (Akiyoshi, Maizuru, Mino-Tamba, and Ashio belts). Major and trace element compositions of most of the sedimentary rocks are typical of relatively mature sedimentary rocks, although abundances of ferromagnesian elements also suggest the presence of a significant mafic to intermediate igneous component. The sedimentary rocks with older Nd model ages (> 2.0 Ga) have high εSr values and major and trace element geochemical signatures typical of mature sediments, whereas those with younger model ages (< 1.45 Ga) have low εSr values and immature geochemical characteristics. With the exception of Hida samples, the sedimentary rocks from other districts have geochemical and isotopic features intermediate between the rocks with old and young Nd model ages. Some of the Hida samples have old Nd model ages, but others are influenced by younger rock fragments and have immature geochemical features. Based on combined isotopic and geochemical evidence, Inner Zone sedimentary rocks with older Nd model ages are interpreted to have been derived from felsic upper continental crustal materials such as Sino-Korean or northwest Yangtze craton granitoids. Compositions of rocks with younger Nd model ages reflect addition of mafic to intermediate detritus, such as island arc basalts and andesites. The rocks with intermediate Nd model ages may have formed in and around the Asian continental margin. The Hida metasedimentary rocks may have been derived from several terranes of varying age and geochemical composition.

Late Cenozoic evolution of epithermal gold metallogenic provinces in Kyushu, Japan

Kyushu Island, Japan, is located at the junction of the Southwest Japan arc and the Ryukyu arc. There are two major late Cenozoic epithermal gold-silver provinces in Kyushu, which are termed the Northern and Southern provinces. The provinces are characterized by: 1) Pliocene volcanism dominated by calc-alkaline andesite, followed by Quaternary volcanism including extrusion of both calc-alkaline and tholeiitic magmas; 2) formation of extensional grabens; 3) Pliocene to Pleistocene mineralization, which was dominated by abundant low sulfidation (LS) epithermal deposits with a few high sulfidation (HS) examples. The two epithermal gold-silver provinces have evolved differently since about 5 Ma; the Northern province has exhibited diminished hydrothermal activity from the Pliocene to Pleistocene, whereas the Southern province has witnessed increased hydrothermal activity mainly in easterly and northerly directions. Changes of tectonic setting from the Pliocene to Pleistocene account for the variable trends in epithermal gold deposit formation. Westward oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate beneath the Southwest Japan arc caused development of the Hohi graben and arc-related volcanism at about 6 Ma. This was associated with widespread LS mineralization in and surrounding the Hohi graben, as is represented by the Bajo and Taio deposits. The subduction of the relatively buoyant Kyushu-Palau ridge during the early Pliocene strengthened the coupling between the slab and overriding Ryukyu arc, leading to polygenetic andesite volcanism with associated HS (Kasuga, Iwato, and Akeshi) and LS (Kushikino) mineral deposits forming in the Southern province. A change of the subduction direction of the Philippine Sea plate, from west to north-northwest in the early Pliocene, increased the orthogonal convergence rate between the Southwest Japan arc and the Philippine Sea plate, resulting in a decrease of volcanic and hydrothermal activity in the Hohi graben of the Northern province. The more northerly subduction of the Philippine Sea plate shifted the locus of the Kyushu-Palau ridge subduction northward, resulting in underplating of the older (85–60 Ma), negatively buoyant Amami basin oceanic slab in the Southern province, rather than continued subduction of the young (27–15 Ma), buoyant Shikoku basin slab. This replacement caused steepening of the slab angle and slab-rollback in the Southern province, which was associated with regional extension, an eastward shift of the Ryukyu volcanic front, and development of the Kagoshima and Shimabara grabens, as well as the Okinawa trough. Rhyolite and basalt volcanism, in addition to andesite volcanism, have occurred since 2 Ma in the area of the Ryukyu back arc; coincident LS mineralization at Hishikari and Ohkuchi was affiliated with the rhyolite volcanism. Another change of the subduction direction of the Philippine Sea plate to the northwest occurred at 2–1 Ma. The forearc sliver of the Southwest Japan arc shifted westward, in association with right-lateral strike-slip faulting along the Median tectonic line, due to the increase of the westward convergence rate. This shift resulted in shortening and cessation of graben development in the Hohi area, restricting the subsequent volcanism and related hydrothermal activity to the central part of the graben.

Aqueous fluids derived from a subducting slab: Observed high 3He emanation and conductive anomaly in a non-volcanic region, Kii Peninsula southwest Japan

It has long been recognized that the Kii Peninsula in the southwest Japan arc is peculiar in a non-volcanic region, indicated by the presence of high temperature hot springs, high terrestrial heat flow and high 3He content in hot spring gases. Geophysical and geochemical studies were carried out to understand the geotectonic environment in the southern part of the Kii Peninsula. Most of the measured 3He / 4He ratios are similar or higher than air, indicating wide spread incorporation of mantle-derived helium into meteoric water. A region with rather high 3He / 4He ratios (> 4 R A) on the west side of the Omine Mountains coincides with the occurrence of high temperature hot springs. A deep crustal resistivity structure across the Omine Mountains was imaged by wide-band magnetotelluric soundings. A 2-D inversion with N–S strike using both TM and TE modes reveals two conductors, one in the upper (3–7 km depth) and the other in lower crust (25–35 km depth) to the west of the Omine Mountains. The distribution of microearthquakes and low-frequency tremors, and the existence of seismic reflectors indicate that the large conductor in the lower crust is related to aqueous fluids derived from the Philippine Sea plate. The upper-crustal conductive zone may also reflect the aqueous fluids trapped in the upper crust, which are presumably derived from the subducting slab. Considering the occurrence of seismic events in the subducting slab beneath the southern Kii Peninsula, the aqueous fluids generated by dehydration of the slab mantle could plausibly include MORB-type helium derived from the residual lithospheric mantle. Therefore, the high temperature hot springs and high 3He emanations in hot spring gases and other geotectonic events in the southern Kii Peninsula may be due to heat flux and mantle-derived helium discharged from aqueous fluid in the upper crust.

Variation of physical properties beneath a fault observed by a two‐ship seismic survey off southwest Japan

We conducted a two‐ship seismic reflection survey at Kumano‐nada off the southwest Japan arc, in 2002, in order to clarify physical properties along a splay fault that branches from the plate boundary of the Nankai Trough subduction zone. During the survey, seismic reflection data were collected out to maximum offset of 20 km using multiple passes of a shooting and a receiving vessel separated by a different constant offset on each pass. We conducted analyses on reflection polarity and amplitude variation with offset (AVO) effects to examine physical properties of layers immediately beneath the splay fault. Reflections from the splay fault showed varying polarities along the fault. In the present study, we assumed that the Poisson's ratio of the layer above the fault was 0.30–0.40. Where polarity is reversed, the Poisson's ratio of the layer immediately below the fault was estimated to be 0.33–0.445 (11% increase on average). Where polarity was normal, the ratio was estimated to be 0.263–0.365 (11% decrease on average). If the reverse polarity indicates the existence of fluid as many authors suggest, the polarity analysis demonstrates inhomogeneous distribution of fluid in the splay fault shear zone. The results of AVO analysis also support the possibility of the spatial variation of fluid distribution under some assumptions because the Poisson's ratio changes with content of fluid in rocks. The variation in reflection polarity and corresponding AVO effects may signify the possibility of localized fluid migration in the splay fault shear zone.

南海トラフ沈みこみ帯の地殻比抵抗構造

The forearc crust along the Nankai Trough is characterized as an accretionary prism. The unconsolidated sediments on the subducting Philippine Sea plate are underplated to the southwest Japan arc, so that large amount of fluid is supplied to the accretionary prism. Such fluid could be related to various geological phenomena in the accretionary prism such as the accumulation of methane hydrate, expected as new energy resource. However, fluid distribution below the seafloor, in the forearc crust, had not been understood clearly. Marine magnetotelluric soundings around the Nankai Trough and the Kumano Basin were carried out in 2002-2003 to elucidate fluid distribution in the forearc crust. Both time series data of horizontal electric and magnetic fields were obtained at seven sites, and only electric field data were obtained at two sites. Apparent resistivity and impedance phase at each site were calculated from these observed data with removal of spike noises, and a resistivity model below the seafloor was estimated. The model resembles to a seismic reflection section. By interpreting the estimated model, fluid distribution in the accretionary prism and the upper oceanic crust is discussed: high fluid content within the accretionary prism is interpreted, especially along the splay fault. This result implies a pass way of fluid along the splay fault.

Thermal consequences of the formation of a slab window beneath the Mid‐Cretaceous southwest Japan arc: A 2‐D numerical analysis

Abstract The development of voluminous granitic magmatism and widespread high‐grade metamorphism in Mid‐Cretaceous southwest Japan have been explained by the subduction of a spreading ridge (Kula–Pacific or Farallon–Izanagi plate boundaries) beneath the Eurasian continent and the formation of a slab window. In the present study, the thermal consequences of the formation of a slab window beneath a continental margin are evaluated through a 2‐D numerical simulation. The model results are evaluated by comparison with the Mid‐Cretaceous geology of southwest Japan. Of particular interest are the absence of an amphibolite‐ to granulite‐facies metamorphic belt near the Wadati–Benioff plane, and significant melting of the lower crustal‐mafic rocks sufficient to form a large amount of granitic magma. Because none of the model results simultaneously satisfied these two geological interpretations, it is suggested that subduction of plate boundaries in Mid‐Cretaceous southwest Japan was not associated with the opening of a slab window. According to previous studies, and the results of the present study, two different tectonic scenarios could reasonably explain the geological interpretations for Mid‐Cretaceous southwest Japan: (i) The spreading ridge did not subduct beneath the Eurasian continent, but was located off the continental margin, implying the continuous subduction of very young oceanic lithosphere; (ii) ridge subduction beneath the continental margin occurred after active spreading had ceased. Consequently, in both tectonic scenarios, the subduction of plate boundaries at the Mid‐Cretaceous southwest Japan was not associated with a slab window, but very young (hot) oceanic lithosphere.

Variation of Cl and SO3 Contents of Microphenocrystic Apatite in Intermediate to Silicic Igneous Rocks of Cenozoic Japanese Island Arcs: Implications for Porphyry Cu Metallogenesis in the Western Pacific Island Arcs

Abstract. Determinations of SO3 and Cl contents of igneous accessory apatite were carried out on Late Cenozoic intermediate to silicic intrusive and volcanic rocks in the Japanese island arcs of the western Pacific rim including the southwestern Kuril arc (eastern Hokkaido), Northeast Japan arc (southwestern Hokkaido through northeastern Honshu to central Honshu), Izu‐Bonin arc, Kyushu‐Palau ridge, Southwest Japan arc (northern Kyushu) and northern Ryukyu arc (southern Kyushu). These were compared to those from the Western Luzon arc, Philippines, to better understand the metallogenesis of porphyry Cu deposits in the western Pacific island arcs. In addition, SO3 and Cl contents of accessory apatite in the Cretaceous magnetite‐series granitic rocks in the Kitakami belt (northeastern Honshu) and the Miocene ilmenite‐series granitic rocks in the Outer Zone of Southwest Japan (southern Kyushu) were also examined.Microphenocrystic apatites in shallow intrusions associated with porphyry Cu deposits in the Western Luzon arc contain &gt;0.1 wt% S as SO3. Such high SO3 contents of microphenocrystic apatite are a common characteristic of hydrous mag‐matism in the Western Luzon arc, from 15 Ma old tonalitic plutonic rocks of the Luzon Central Cordillera to present‐day volcanism at Mount Pinatubo. The accessory apatite in intrusive rocks associated with porphyry Cu deposits, especially those at the Santo Tomas II deposit, show significantly high Cl contents (&gt;2 wt%).The SO3 contents of microphenocrystic apatite in most of the hydrous silicic rocks along the volcanic front, in andesites related to native sulfur deposits, and in Miocene and younger shallow granitic intrusions in northeastern Honshu, are generally &lt;0.1 wt%. On the other hand, the SO3 contents of apatite in such rocks from eastern Hokkaido, southwestern Hokkaido, Izu, northern Kyushu and southern Kyushu are similar to those from the Western Luzon arc. The SO3 contents of accessory apatite in the Cretaceous magnetite‐series granitic rocks in the Kitakami belt are variable, whereas those of the Miocene ilmenite‐series granitic rocks in southern Kyushu are extremely low. The Cl contents of accessory apatite in some rocks of the Northeast Japan arc, Izu‐Bonin arc and Southwest Japan arc are significantly high.In terms of the Cl and SO3 contents of microphenocrystic apatite, Cenozoic Japanese arc magmatism show similarities with arc magmatism associated elsewhere with porphyry Cu mineralization, except for the most of northeastern Honshu of the Northeast Japan arc. Apatite commonly occurs as inclusions in other phenocrystic phases. Thus the variation in SO3 contents of apatite is a feature of early stage magmatic differentiation. The SO3 contents of microphenocrystic apatite are considered to reflect the redox state of the magma source region or fluids encountered during magma generation.

High-Mg diorites derived from sanukitic HMA magmas, Kyushu Island, southwest Japan arc: evidence from clinopyroxene and whole rock compositions

High-Mg diorites that have similar whole rock composition to high-Mg andesites (HMAs) should not be simply interpreted as rocks solidified from the HMA magmas, because the high-Mg diorites may be mafic cumulates derived from a different magma from the HMAs. The HMAs contain unique clinopyroxenes with higher Mg# and Si than those of other sub-alkaline series igneous rocks. The Mg# and Si are controlled by the source magma composition rather than its crystallized conditions such as pressure and temperature. The chemical composition of clinopyroxenes would present important information for the investigation of the source of high-Mg diorites. We considered the source of Early Cretaceous high-Mg diorites on Kyushu Island, southwest Japan arc, based on their clinopyroxene and whole rock compositions. The clinopyroxenes have similar chemical characteristics to those in HMAs rather than those in other sub-alkaline rocks. Moreover, the whole rock compositions are equivalent to the sanukitic HMA and do not show features of mafic cumulates. This indicates that the high-Mg diorites solidified from sanukitic HMA magmas. It is generally believed that the sanukitic HMA magmas involve the subduction of a young and/or hot oceanic slab was situated in their genesis. Therefore, the occurrence of the high-Mg diorites suggests that Kyushu was situated in the tectonic setting of young and/or hot slab subduction in the Early Cretaceous.

Nd-isotopic composition of Phanerozoic sediments in the Inner Zone of Southwest Japan Arc : implications on provenance characteristics and contribution to formation of mature island arc system

The Nd-isotopic data on sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of SW Japan Arc allow their discrimination into five different depleted mantle (TDM) model age clusters, 2.6-2.45 Ga, 2.3-2.05 Ga, 1.9-1.55 Ga, 1.45-1.25 Ga, 1.2-0.85 Ga. The 2.6-2.45 Ga and 1.9-1.55 Ga model ages are also coincident with U-Pb inherited zircon ages of the above two epochs as well as the major magmatic activity in the Sino-Korean Craton (SKC). The 2.3-2.05 Ga model ages can be considered as the initial formation ages for the precursors of sedimentary rocks. The Nd-isotopic data suggest that the Hida Belt was most likely formed as a part of the SKC. The mantle underlying the Ryoke Belt had continental lithospheric signature during Triassic-Jurassic period. The 1.9-1.55 Ga model ages, especially 1.8 Ga~, can be associated with the formation of this belt. The source material for the sedimentary rocks occurring in the accretionary terrane of northeastern areas in the SW Japan Arc was probably in and around the SKC of the Ryoke Belt itself. The sedimentary rocks occurring in southwestern areas of the Arc were mainly composed of materials derived from a relatively younger source (1.45-0.85 Ga). (Communicated by Syun-iti AKIMOTO, M.J.A., Jan. 13, 2004)

K–Ar geochronology of a middle Miocene submarine volcano-plutonic complex in southwest Japan

A volcano-plutonic complex in the Susa area, southwest Japan, consists of the Yamashima andesites, the Koyama gabbros and syn-plutonic porphyrite dykes derived from a common basaltic andesite magma. The complex is closely associated with middle Miocene turbidite deposits. The Yamashima andesites are composed mainly of basaltic andesite feeder dykes, massive submarine lavas with hyaloclastites, and their reworked deposits. The lavas and deposits immediately overlie turbidite deposits, indicating submarine volcanic activity. The Koyama gabbros formed hornfels by contact metamorphism of the surrounding turbidites and andesites. Highly purified clinopyroxene and plagioclase mineral separates from the Yamashima andesites were dated by a K–Ar method using an ultra-low blank K analysis procedure. Ages obtained from duplicate analyses are 16.5±1.5, 15.2±1.4, 15.8±1.7, and 16.5±2.0 Ma for clinopyroxene, and 14.2±0.8, 15.2±0.9, and 15.6±0.9 Ma for plagioclase. The clinopyroxene and plagioclase data define a mineral isochron age of 14.7±0.9 (1σ) Ma with an initial 40Ar/36Ar ratio of 297.3±2.4 (1σ), suggesting that clinopyroxene has no excess argon and can be reliably dated by K–Ar. Most of the groundmass ages are considerably younger (12.1–14.6) than the isochron age, perhaps due to argon loss during alteration. The gabbros give ages of 14.2±0.3 and 14.1±0.3 Ma for biotite, and 13.7±0.3 and 13.7±0.7 Ma for green hornblende. The porphyrite dyke yields an age of 12.5±0.3 Ma for the groundmass, and the pelitic hornfels gives a biotite age of 14.8±0.3 Ma. Our new K–Ar ages, together with previous studies, show that a series of geological events took place in the Susa area between 16 and 13 Ma. Conglomerates and sandstones were deposited in the beginning of marine transgression. Subsequent abrupt deepening led to deposition of a thick black shale unit, turbidite deposits and large-scale submarine channel-fill deposits. Coeval igneous activity formed the volcano-plutonic complex. The magmato-tectonic event was synchronous with the opening of the Japan Sea and the associated clockwise rotation of the southwest Japan arc sliver, recording a unique tectonic setting.

An adakitic pluton on Kyushu Island, southwest Japan arc

An adakitic pluton is designated the Shiraishino granodiorite ca. 15 km2 in outcrop area on Kyushu Island, southwestern Japanese arc. Sr, Y, and rare earth element concentrations and crystallization characteristics of the pluton are similar to those of adakites. Geochemical and tectonic considerations show that the pluton was derived from partial melting of a subducted slab with minor contamination of high 87Sr/86Sr material and subsequent fractional crystallization of plagioclase+hornblende.Compiled Sr and Y data indicate that most Cretaceous granitic rocks of southwestern Japan, generated by partial melting of mafic lower crust. Adakitic plutons derived by slab melting occur rarely and have older ages. It is concluded that plutonism in the southwestern Japanese arc during Cretaceous time was began with the emplacement of small adakitic intrusions and progressed to more abandant granitic rocks of the type derived from the mafic lower crust.

Present-day deformation across the southwest Japan arc: Oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate and lateral slip of the Nankai forearc

We estimate long-term/permanent crustal deformation in the Nankai forearc, southwest Japan, that accumulated over one earthquake deformation cycle in the Nankai subduction zone. A short-term deformation due to an oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate is modeled based on coseismic fault slips associated with interplate thrust earthquakes at the Nankai Trough, and subtracted from the interseismic crustal velocity field observed by GPS. The long-term/permanent deformation left in the data shows arc-parallel movement of the forearc at a rate of 5— 10 mm/yr. We interpret that the forearc movement, driven by the oblique plate convergence, is accommodated by steady aseismic slip on the deep portion of the fault plane of the Median Tectonic Line (MTL) on the rear boundary of the Nankai forearc. The rate of the forearc movement is consistent with the geological slip rate of the MTL in the late Quaternary, and also with that expected from deflection of the slip vector of the 1946 Nankai earthquake from the current plate convergence vector.

Late Cenozoic volcanic activity in the Chugoku area, southwest Japan arc during back‐arc basin opening and reinitiation of subduction

Abstract Temporal–spatial variations in Late Cenozoic volcanic activity in the Chugoku area, southwest Japan, have been examined based on 108 newly obtained K–Ar ages. Lava samples were collected from eight Quaternary volcanic provinces (Daisen, Hiruzen, Yokota, Daikonjima, Sambe, Ooe–Takayama, Abu and Oki) and a Tertiary volcanic cluster (Kibi Province) to cover almost all geological units in the province. Including published age data, a total of 442 Cenozoic radiometric ages are now available. Across‐arc volcanic activity in an area approximately 500 km long and 150 km wide can be examined over 26 million years. The period corresponds to syn‐ and post‐back‐arc basin opening stages of the island arc. Volcanic activity began in the central part of the rear‐arc ca 26 Ma. This was followed by arc‐wide expansion at 20 Ma by eruption at two rear‐arc centers located at the eastern and western ends. Expansion to the fore‐arc occurred between 20 and 12 Ma. This Tertiary volcanic arc was maintained until 4 Ma with predominant alkali basalt centers. The foremost‐arc zone activity ceased at 4 Ma, followed by quiescence over the whole arc between 4 and 3 Ma. Volcanic activity resumed at 3 Ma, covering the entire rear‐arc area, and continued until the present to form a Quaternary volcanic arc. Adakitic dacite first occurred at 1.7 Ma in the middle of the arc, and spread out in the center part of the Quaternary volcanic arc. Alkali basalt activities ceased in the area where adakite volcanism occurred. Fore‐arc expansion of the volcanic arc could be related to the upwelling and expansion of the asthenosphere, which caused opening of the Japan Sea. Narrowing of the volcanic zone could have been caused by progressive Philippine Sea Plate subduction. Deeper penetration could have caused melting of the slab and resulted in adakites. Volcanic history in the Late Cenozoic was probably controlled by the history of evolution of the upper mantle structure, coinciding with back‐arc basin opening and subsequent reinitiation of subduction.

Extremely high heat flow anomaly in the middle part of the Nankai Trough

Detailed heat flow measurements were carried out in the central part of the Nankai Trough off eastern Shikoku, where the fossil spreading center of the Shikoku Basin is subducting beneath the southwest Japan arc. The quality of temperature gradient values was examined for all the existing and new heat flow data and the average of new thermal conductivity data was used at all the stations. Reliable heat flow on the floor of the trough was found to be very high and rather uniform, with an average of about 200 ± 20 mW/m 2. Taking account of the effect of recent rapid sedimentation on the surface heat flow, the heat flow from the deeper part is estimated to be even higher by 20–30%, almost twice as high as the value expected from the age of the subducting Shikoku Basin, about 15 m.y. Such a large heat flow anomaly cannot be attributed solely to advective heat transfer by pore fluid flows associated with subduction and accretion of the sediments brought into the trough, suggesting that the underlying Shikoku Basin lithosphere is anomalously warm in the study area. A possible cause of the anomaly is reheating of the lithosphere by post-spreading thermal activities along the fossil spreading center, which produced the Kinan Seamount Chain and continued until about 7 Ma. However, such reheating even at 6 Ma cannot produce a heat flow high enough to explain the observed values. A steep landward decrease in the heat flow is observed at the toe of the accretionary prism. The scale of this decrease indicates that its origin is not deep seated, and thus a part of the anomalous heat flow on the trough floor may result from some processes in relatively shallow layers. The thermal structure of the Shikoku Basin is a critical boundary condition for thermal models of the Nankai subduction zone and its seismogenic zone for large thrust earthquakes. More heat flow measurements need to be made around the study area in order to clarify the extent and origin of the high heat flow anomaly.

Petrogenesis of Cretaceous Peraluminous Granite Suites with Low Initial Sr Isotopic Ratios, Kyushu Island, Southwest Japan Arc

Cretaceous granitic rocks are widely distributed in the northern to central parts of Kyushu Island, southwest Japan arc, and are divided into two types, granite and tonalite-granodiorite. These rocks are clearly defined by their mineral assemblage, that is, the granite contains mostly muscovite and/or garnet and does not have hornblende, whereas the tonalite-granodiorite is always observed with hornblende. Many workers suggest that most of the granite has low initial Sr isotopic ratios (SrI 90 Ma: 0.7052-0.7059) whose values are similar to those of tonalite-granodiorite (SrI 90 Ma: 0.7050-0.7056). The SiO 2 contents of the granite (67.9 to 78.0 wt.%) are higher than that of tonalite-granodiorite (54.2 to 68.2 wt.%). The granite is characterized by peraluminous compositions, while the tonalite-granodiorite shows metaluminous to peraluminous compositions. The petrogenetic relation between granite and tonalite-granodiorite is examined by a modal batch melting model, which referred to results of already published experiments. The result of the model suggests that the petrogenesis of the peraluminous granitic magma can be explained by an anatexis of metaluminous tonalite in the tonalite-granodiorite under lower to middle crustal conditions and variable fH 2O. Rocks of tonalite to granodiorite in a subduction system generally have low initial Sr isotopic ratios (<0.705), which imply that the magma derived from a highly metaluminous origin such as mafic magma, mafic lower crust and/or subducting slab. In this study, it is regarded that the peraluminous granitic magma can be directly produced by an anatexis of metaluminous tonalite. Therefore, peraluminous granite with low initial Sr isotopic ratios may imply to a first step of recycling of the granitic layer in an active plate margin.

Active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea

We describe an active right-lateral strike-slip fault zone along the southern margin of the Japan Sea, named the Southern Japan Sea Fault Zone (SJSFZ). Onshore segments of the fault zone are delineated on the basis of aerial photograph interpretations and field observations of tectonic geomorphic features, whereas the offshore parts are interpreted from single-/multichannel seismic data combined with borehole information. In an effort to evaluate late Quaternary activity along the fault zone, four active segments separated by uplifting structures are identified in this study. The east–northeast-trending SJSFZ constitutes paired arc-parallel strike-slip faults together with the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), both of which have been activated by oblique subduction of the Philippine Sea plate during the Quaternary. They act as the boundaries of three neotectonic stress domains around the eastern margin of the Eurasian plate: the near-trench Outer zone and NW–SE compressive Inner zone of southwest Japan arc, and the southern Japan Sea deformed under E–W compression from south to north.

Paleomagnetism of Miocene dikes in the Shitara basin and the tectonic evolution of central Honshu, Japan

Central Honshu, Japan, is conspicuous for a northward-convex form of zonal geologic structures. To clarify the formation of curvature of the zonal structures in the west of the convex form and further to discuss the tectonic evolution of central Honshu, we carried out a paleomagnetic study of dated (∼15 Ma) dike rocks of the Shitara basin. Samples were collected from 25 basalt dikes trending north-south with a nearly vertical intrusion surface. After stepwise alternating-field and thermal demagnetization, 24 site-mean directions were determined. Three dikes gave anomalous directions, probably resulting from instantaneous recording of a field transition or excursion. The other 21 site-means produced a mean direction, D = 9.7°, I = 54.5°, α95 = 5.2°, and a paleomagnetic pole at 82.3°N, 216.6°E, A95 = 6.2°. Although the reversal test is negative at the 5% significance level, the mean direction and pole are time-averaged ones in which the secular variation is averaged out. This was confirmed by studying the angular standard deviation of virtual geomagnetic poles. We conclude that the central Honshu curvature formed when the southwest Japan arc rotated clockwise between 17 and 15 Ma in relation to the opening of the Japan Sea, associated with differential rotation of the eastern part of the arc with respect to the central part. The differential rotation probably resulted from a sinistral shear on the eastern margin of the rotating arc. The formation of the curvature seems not to have borne on the collision of the Izu-Ogasawara arc with Honshu, although the collision probably caused large-scale clockwise rotation of the Kanto Mountains in the east of the northward-convex structure.