Constraining Late Cretaceous to mid Eocene plate boundaries in the southwest Pacific
Abstract
The southwest Pacific has undergone a complex tectonic history since the Late Cretaceous, involving multiple episodes of subduction, back-arc spreading and continental deformation. Starkly contrasting reconstructions have been proposed for this period, ranging from tectonic quiescence with no plate boundary between the Lord Howe Rise (LHR) and Pacific, to widespread subduction and back-arc spreading, and this disparity reflects sparse and ambiguous data. Placing further constraints on these reconstructions is crucial for a variety of applications, from global-scale geodynamic studies using plate circuits to basin-scale studies of paleogeographic evolution and vertical motions. Geologic and kinematic data from the southwest Pacific are reviewed to better constrain the tectonic history of the region from the Late Cretaceous to mid Eocene, including the timing and location of plate boundary activity. This facilitates better constraints on the time-dependent evolution of the southwest Pacific plate circuit so that motion between plate pairs is consistent with geologic data and known tectonic regimes. The southwest Pacific comprised three spreading ridges during this time: in the Southeast Indian Ocean, Tasman Sea and Amundsen Sea. However, at least one, and possibly two other plate boundaries also accommodated relative motions: in the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS) and between the LHR and Pacific. Uncertainties in the timing and nature of plate boundaries prevent the construction of a robust reconstruction model and the implementation of a southwest Pacific plate circuit. Some previous plate models include continuous subduction east of the LHR throughout the Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic, while an alternative scenario involves the absence of plate boundaries between the LHR and Pacific until 45 Ma. Geologic observations suggests that subduction initiated to the east of New Caledonia at c. 55 Ma, including dyke emplacement and metamorphism in New Caledonia, and arc-type rocks dredged from the Tonga forearc. These geologic and kinematic data do not require a plate boundary between the LHR and Pacific from c. 84-55 Ma, in agreement with previous studies. A plate boundary may have existed before 55 Ma, however net convergence/divergence at this boundary would have been minor, with a possible strike-slip component. By combining geologic observations with a kinematic analysis, we propose that from 0-55 Ma an Antarctic plate circuit must be used in reconstructions, in which LHR-Pacific motion is unconstrained. From 55-74 Ma Antarctic or Australian circuits can be reconciled with regional geology when revised relative motion histories at the Australian-Antarctic ridge and in the WARS are adopted. A well-constrained Antarctic circuit predicts <50 km of strike-slip motion at a LHR-Pacific boundary. Alternatively, an Australian circuit assuming the LHR was part of the Pacific plate, predicts 100-150 km of extension in the WARS, that is orthogonal in the Ross Sea and oblique further east. Prior to 74 Ma neither plate circuit is preferable, as more data are needed to better constrain regional spreading histories.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.T51F2531M
- Keywords:
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- 8157 TECTONOPHYSICS Plate motions: past;
- 8150 TECTONOPHYSICS Plate boundary: general