Jean-Frédéric Lebrun

Subduction initiation at a strike‐slip plate boundary: The Cenozoic Pacific‐Australian plate boundary, south of New Zealand

[1] We first present a synthesis of the Macquarie Ridge Complex (MRC) tectonic structures as well as paleo-reconstruction models of the kinematic evolution of the Pacific-Australia plate boundary south of New Zealand, since the Eocene. We then ascertain the geodynamical conditions that preceded subduction initiation, and identify the nature and structures of the crust that first subducted, at the Puysegur subduction zone. This synthesis is used to produce a subduction initiation model for the Puysegur Region. Concomitant to inception of the Alpine Fault (ca. 23 Ma), a 150-km-wide transpressive relay zone developed along Puysegur Bank inherited structures, enabling localization of compressive deformation. Right-lateral motion at the relay zone has juxtaposed oceanic and continental crusts facilitating inception of subduction and controlling the subduction vergence. Subsequently, the Puysegur subduction zone initiated at the transpressive relay zone ca. 20 Ma. Upper and lower plate inherited structures guided and facilitated the lengthening of the subduction zone during the Neogene. The four individual segments of the MRC represent different stages of incipient subduction whose development depends on local geodynamical conditions and lithospheric heterogeneities. The example of the MRC demonstrates that subduction can initiate from an oceanic spreading center, through progressive changes in plate kinematics within a 10–15 Myr time frame. INDEX TERMS: 3040 Marine Geology and Geophysics: Plate tectonics (8150, 8155, 8157, 8158); 8155 Tectonophysics: Plate motions—general; 9604 Information Related to Geologic Time: Cenozoic; KEYWORDS: subduction initiation, Pacific, Australia, plate motion, Cenezoic, Macquarie Ridge

Abrupt strike-slip fault to subduction transition: The Alpine Fault-Puysegur Trench connection, New Zealand

Swath bathymetry and other geophysical data collected over the Fiordland Margin, southwest of New Zealand are used to investigate the mechanism of transform-subduction transition between the Alpine Fault and the Puysegur Trench, two segments of the Pacific-Australian plate boundary. In this region the Cenozoic Southeast Tasman Basin, which obliquely underthrusts Fiordland at the Puysegur Trench, is separated from the Cretaceous Tasman Basin by the Resolution Ridge System, a major lithospheric discontinuity of the downgoing plate. Interpretation of seafloor morphology shows that the Alpine Fault extends offshore along the Fiordland coast and splits into West and East Branches. The West Branch cuts obliquely across the margin and connects sharply to the Puysegur subduction front at the northeastern tip of the Resolution Ridge System. Earthquake and seismic reflection data indicate that the West Branch is genetically controlled by downgoing plate structures associated with the Resolution Ridge System. Hence the West Branch is interpreted as the surface trace of the plate boundary segment extending between the Alpine Fault and the Puysegur Trench. We conclude that the development of the strike-slip segment of the plate boundary and its sharp transition to the Puysegur subduction are controlled by inherited structures of the Australian plate. Furthermore, according to geophysical data presented here, a tearing of the downgoing plate can be interpreted beneath the West Branch. A review of geophysical data along the region of the Alpine Fault-Hikurangi Trough, northeast New Zealand, shows a progressive transform-subduction transition that is accommodated by motion partitioning between the subduction interface and strike-slip faults. This transition is accounted for by an interplate coupling that progressively increases toward the Alpine Fault in relation with a gradual thickening of the downgoing crust. The comparison between the Fiordland and the Hikurangi strike-slip-subduction transitions show that presence of inherited downgoing plate crustal faults, properly oriented with respect to the plate motion, facilitates a sharp strike-slip-subduction transition.

Morphostructure of an incipient subduction zone along a transform plate boundary: Puysegur Ridge and Trench

Multibeam bathymetric and geophysical data reveal a major strike-slip fault that extends along the summit of the Puysegur Ridge east of the Puysegur Trench. The northward structural development of this ridge-trench system illustrates the evolution of an incipient subduction zone along a transform plate boundary that has been subjected to increasing transverse shortening during the past 10 m.y. At the southern end of the trench, where subduction has not yet started, the Puysegur Ridge has a narrow (<50 km) steep-sided cross section, and the axial strike-slip fault separates a shallow (125–625 m), flat-topped eastern crest from a deeper (400–1600 m) western crest; these characteristics indicate differential uplift during the initial stage of shortening. On the lower plate an incipient, 5.2-km-deep trench developed in conjunction with normal and reverse faults, suggesting strong interplate coupling across the trench. Northward, the ridge broadens linearly to 80 km wide, its western flank has locally collapsed, and the ridge summit has subsided, possibly by 1.5 km, suggesting that the interplate coupling decreases and that a Benioff zone is being formed. Concomitant to the northward ridge evolution, the trench deepens to 6.2 km and normal fault throws increase along its outer wall, indicating greater flexure of the downgoing plate.

Pliocene to Pleistocene vertical movements in the forearc of the Lesser Antilles subduction: insights from chronostratigraphy of shallow-water carbonate platforms (Guadeloupe archipelago)

An integrated stratigraphic study was conducted on the shallow water carbonate platforms of the Guadeloupe archipelago to refine the tectonic evolution of the Lesser Antilles forearc. The carbonate platforms are now dated to the Zanclean–Calabrian interval, and their demise occurred between 1.5 and 1.07 Ma. The precise chronostratigraphy allows dating of the main extensional tectonic events since the late Miocene. An initial episode occurred during the late Miocene, related to the reactivation of inherited N130°E-trending shear zones, and led to the emergence of most parts of the forearc. Subsequently, Zanclean to early Piacenzian carbonate platforms developed in association with a general subsidence of the forearc. During the late Piacenzan, a second extensional episode occurred. At this time La Désirade underwent major uplift and emergence whereas most of the forearc remained submerged. Prior to 1.07 Ma, a third north–south extensional episode occurred and led to the final demise of the carbonate platforms. Thus the forearc was characterized by general subsidence since the early Pliocene interrupted by three main extensional episodes and related differential uplifts. This suggests that the Lesser Antilles subduction is probably erosive north of latitude 15°N since c. 5 Ma, related to aseismic ridge subduction. Supplementary data: Planktonic foraminiferal assemblages, calcareous nannofossil taxa associations, 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data and palaeomagnetic data are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18724.

The polyphased tectonic evolution of the Anegada Passage in the northern Lesser Antilles subduction zone

The influence of the highly oblique plate convergence at the northern Lesser Antilles onto the margin strain partitioning and deformation pattern, although frequently invoked, has never been clearly imaged. The Anegada Passage is a set of basins and deep valleys, regularly related to the southern boundary of the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands (PRVI) microplate. Despite the publications of various tectonic models mostly based on bathymetric data, the tectonic origin and deformation of this Passage remains unconstrained in the absence of deep structure imaging. During cruises Antithesis 1 and 3 (2013–2016), we recorded the first deep multichannel seismic images and new multibeam data in the northern Lesser Antilles margin segment in order to shed a new light on the structure and tectonic pattern of the Anegada Passage. We image the northeastern extent of the Anegada Passage, from the Sombrero Basin to the Lesser Antilles margin front. Our results reveal that this northeastern segment is an EW trending left-stepping en echelon strike-slip system that consists of the Sombrero and Malliwana pull-apart basins, the Malliwana and Anguilla left-lateral faults, and the NE-SW compressional restraining bend at the Malliwana Hill. Reviewing the structure of the Anegada Passage, from the south of Puerto Rico to the Lesser Antilles margin front, reveals a polyphased tectonic history. The Anegada Passage is formed by a NW-SE extension, possibly related to the rotation or escape of PRVI block due to collision of the Bahamas Bank. Currently, it is deformed by an active WNW-ESE strike-slip deformation associated to the shear component of the strain partitioning resulting from the subduction obliquity.

Quaternary sedimentation and active faulting along the Ecuadorian shelf: preliminary results of the ATACAMES Cruise (2012)

AbstractSelected high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and multibeam bathymetry acquired along the convergent Ecuador margin during the ATACAMES cruise on onboard the R/V L’Atalante (Jan.15–Feb.18, 2012) allow a preliminary evaluation of the neotectonic development and stratigraphic evolution of the margin based on the sismo-stratigraphic analysis of Quaternary sediment preserved on the margin shelf and upper slope. We present three major preliminary results. (1) The evolution of the Esmeraldas, Guayaquil and Santa Elena canyons. The head of the Esmeraldas canyon is the location of a continuous significant sediment transport. The Guayaquil canyon shows several episodes of deposition and incision. Aggrading sedimentation pattern in the canyon records several changes in relative sea-level. The subsidence of the Gulf of Guayaquil probably contributes to the good preservation of the canyon filling stages. The Santa Elena canyon is controlled by a SW–NE trending normal fault. (2) Variations of sediment accumulation and relative vertical motions are shown along-strike the shelf edge. Offshore the uplifted Manta peninsula, a pronounced subsidence of the shelf edge is documented by sedimentary clinoforms that have deposited in a morphological reentrant, and have migrated upslope testifying of a local subsidence meanwhile the adjacent La Plata Island area underwent uplift. In the Esmeraldas canyon area, a local uplift of the shelf is documented. (3) Two neotectonic fault systems with a possible transcurrent component are imaged across the shelf edge and upper margin slope offshore Jama, and Cape Galera. This possible transcurrent motion could be related to the reactivation of ancient faults of the upper plate by the subduction. These preliminary results indicate that the ATACAMES data set has a strong potential to evaluate the spatial and temporal contribution of tectonic and climate changes on the structural development and stratigraphic evolution of the Ecuador continental margin.