Oblique Convergence Tectonics in Northern Taiwan-Ryukyu Area:Insights from Sandbox Modeling

Taiwan located on the boundary between Eurasian Plate and Philippine Sea Plate and as a results of convergence of these two plates. The specific process of Taiwan orogeny is a hot issue for many years. Sandbox modeling is a way to simulate the mountain building process. The previous studies of 3D sandbox modeling in Taiwan are more concentrated on the effect of basement high and arc-continent collision but few noted the effect of opening of Okinawa Trough. This 3D experiment aims at the structure of northern Taiwan, adds a sandpaper machine which could move in experiment that simulate the opening of Okinawa Trough, and tries to explain the tectonic evolution in northern Taiwan. Result of experimental modeling proves that: (1) the Ryukyu Arc is pulled apart and moving southward as the opening of Okinawa Trough, (2) direction of Ryukyu Arc changed between southern part and middle-northern part due to the opening of Okinawa Trough, (3) Ilan Plain subsidence caused by the opening of Okinawa Trough.