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Cited by 502Geological and Geophysical Studiesearthquake and tectonic studiesGeological and Geochemical Analysis

Ridges and basins of the Tonga-Kermadec Island Arc System

Karig, Daniel E.·1970·Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI 10.1029/jb075i002p00239
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Abstract

West of the Tonga-Kermadec trench is a series of ridges and basins including, from east to west, the Tonga-Kermadec ridge (frontal arc), the Lau-Havre trough (interarc basin) and the Lau-Colville ridge (third arc). The frontal and third arcs have asymmetric cross sections with scarps on the flanks facing the interarc basin and substantial accumulations of sediment on the outer ridge flanks. Geology of exposed islands indicates that the Tonga-Kermadec ridge has been a frontal arc since the early Tertiary; the third arc is probably at least as old. A thin cover of rapidly deposited sediment suggests that the morphology of the interarc basin, which consists of linear ridges and troughs with approximate relief of 1000 meters, is no older than latest Tertiary. The interarc basin is underlain by a crust of oceanic character and is the locus of high heat flow. The regional morphology and distribution of sediment must be ascribed to tectonic activity, involving either creation of new oceanic crust or modification of older oceanic crust. An origin of the interarc basin by extensional rifting within an older frontal arc best satisfies the available data and suggests that the extension is related to intensification of island arc tectonism at the close of the Tertiary. Additional studies indicate that the South Fiji basin and at least several other marginal basins on the concave sides of western Pacific trenches have had a similar mode of origin at an earlier time. The result of such activity would be the migration of the trench-frontal arc complexes away from the Asian continent, with creation of new basins with oceanic crust on the convex sides of the frontal arcs.

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Crossref · 10.1029/jb075i002p00239

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16 of 16 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The important feature of Karig's suggestion is that new ridges can be formed behind island arcs, and hence produce new plate boundaries to replace those being destroyed.

    “Therefore, the important feature of Karig's (1970) suggEstion is that new ridges can be formed behind island arcs, and hence produce new plate boundaries to replace those being destroyed.”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Karig's (1970)

  • This process appears to be interarc spreading, which was suggested by Karig to explain the marine geology of the marginal seas behind the western Pacific island arcs.

    “Somewhat surprisingly this process appears to be interarc spreading, which was suggested by Karig (1970) to explain the marine geology of the marginal seas behind the western Pacific island arcs.”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Karig (1970)

  • The pattern of motion in the Eastern Mediterranean closely resembles that described by Karig (1970) except the ridge formed north of the volcanic arc.

    “This pattern of motion closely resembles that described by Karig (1970) except that the ridge was formed north of the volcanic arc.”

    From Speculations on the Thermal and Tectonic History of the Earth (2007) · cites this paper as Karig (1970)

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Authors
Karig, D. E.
Corresponding author
Karig, Daniel E.
ORCID
Karig, Daniel E.
Venue
Journal of Geophysical Research
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Published
1970-01-10
Volume
75
Issue
2
Pages
239-254
ISSN
0148-0227 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1029/jb075i002p00239
OpenAlex
W2166167505
Cited by
502
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 1
FWCI
43.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 16670 d)
Locations
Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geology › Geological and Geophysical Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › earthquake and tectonic studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
Keywords
Tonga-Kermadec arc, extensional rifting, oceanic crust, high heat flow, sediment accumulation, South Fiji Basin, marginal basins, trench migration, Tertiary tectonics

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