The role of arc migration in the development of the Lesser Antilles: a new tectonic model for the Cenozoic evolution of the eastern Caribbean
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Continental arc systems often show evidence of large-scale migration both towards and away from the incoming plate. In oceanic arc systems however, whilst slab roll-back and the associated processes of back-arc spreading and arc migration towards the incoming plate are commonplace, arc migration away from the incoming plate is rarely observed. We present a new compilation of marine magnetic anomaly and seismic data in order to propose a new tectonic model for the eastern Caribbean region that includes arc migration in both directions. We synthesise new evidence to show two phases of back-arc spreading and eastward arc migration towards the incoming Atlantic. A third and final phase of arc migration to the west subdivided the earlier back-arc basin on either side of the present-day Lesser Antilles Arc. This is the first example of regional multi-directional arc migration in an intra-oceanic setting and has implications for along-arc structural and geochemical variations. The back and forth arc migrations are probably due to the constraints the neighbouring American plates impose on this isolated subduction system rather than variations in subducting slab buoyancy.
Date Issued
2019-09-01
Date Acceptance
2019-07-04
Citation
Geology, 2019, 47 (9), pp.891-895
ISSN
0091-7613
Publisher
Geological Society of America
Start Page
891
End Page
895
Journal / Book Title
Geology
Volume
47
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2019 The Authors. Gold Open Access: This paper is published under the terms of the CC-BY license.
License URL
Sponsor
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Natural Environment Research Council [2006-2012]
Grant Number
NE/K010743/1
Subjects
Geochemistry & Geophysics
04 Earth Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2019-08-12