Forearc is a plate tectonic term referring to a region between an oceanic trench, also known as a subduction zone, and the associated volcanic arc. Forearc regions are present along a convergent margins and eponymously form 'in front of' the volcanic arcs that are characteristic of convergent plate margins. A back-arc region is the companion region behind the volcanic arc.
Many forearcs have an accretionary wedge which may form a topographic ridge known as an outer arc ridge that parallels the volcanic arc. Between the accretionary wedge and the volcanic arc a forearc basin, sometimes referred to as an outer arc trough, may be present and can accumulate thick deposits of sediment. Due to tectonic stresses as one tectonic plate rides over another, forearc regions are sources for great thrust earthquakes.[1][2]
During subduction, an oceanic plate is thrust below another tectonic plate, which may be oceanic or continental. Water and other volatiles in the down-going plate cause flux melting in the upper mantle, creating magma that rises and penetrates the overriding plate, forming a volcanic arc. The weight of the down-going slab flexes the down-going plate creating an oceanic trench. The area between the trench and the arc is the forearc region, and the area behind the arc (i.e. on the side away from the trench) is the back-arc region.
Initial theories proposed that the oceanic trenches and magmatic arcs were the primary suppliers of the accretionary sedimentation wedges in the forearc regions. More recent discovery suggests that some of the accreted material in the forearc region is from a mantle source along with trench turbidites derived from continental material. This theory holds due to evidence of pelagic sediments and continental crust being subducted in processes known as sediment subduction and subduction erosion respectively.[2]
Over geological time there is constant recycling of the forearc deposits due to erosion, deformation and sedimentary subduction. The constant circulation of material in the forearc region (accretionary prism, forearc basin and trench) generates a mixture of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary sequences. In general, there is an increase in metamorphic grade from trench to arc where highest grade (blueschist to eclogite) is structurally uplifted (in the prisms) compared to the younger deposits (basins). Forearc regions are also where ophiolites are emplaced should obduction occur, but such deposits are not continuous and can often be removed by erosion.[2][3]
As tectonic plates converge, the closing of an ocean will result in the convergence of two landmasses, each of which is either an island arc or continental margin. When these two bodies collide, the result is orogenesis, at which time the underthrusting oceanic crust slows down.[2][4] In early stages of arc-continent collision, there is uplift and erosion of the accretionary prism and forearc basin. In the later stages of collision, the forearc region may be sutured, rotated and shortened which can form syn-collisional folds and thrust belts.
Structure
The forearc region includes any forearc basin, outer-arc high, accretionary prism and the trench itself.[2] The accretionary prism is located at the slope of the trench break where there is significantly decreased slope angle. Between the break and the magmatic arc, a sedimentary basin filled with erosive material from the volcanic arc and substrate can accumulate into a forearc basin which overlays the oldest thrust slices in the wedge of the forearc region.[2]
In general, the forearc topography (specifically in the trench region) is trying to achieve an equilibrium between buoyancy and tectonic forces caused by subduction. Upward motion of the forearc is related to buoyancy forces and the downward motion is associated with the tectonic forcing which causes the oceanic lithosphere to descend.[2] The relationship between surface slope and subduction thrust also plays a huge role in the variation of forearc structure and deformation.[1] A subduction wedge can be classified as either stable with little deformation or unstable with pervasive internal deformation (see section on Models). Some common deformation in forearc sediments are synsedimentary deformation and olistostromes, such as that seen in the Magnitogorsk forearc region.[4]
Models
Types of forearcs
There are two models which characterize a forearc basin formation and deformation and are dependent on sediment deposition and subsidence (see figure). The first model is associated with a forearc basin formed with little to no sediment supply. Conversely, the second model is associated with sediment supply. Topographic depressions which are accretionary and nonaccretionary in nature will depend on the supply of oceanic plate sediments, continentally derived clastic material and orthogonal convergence rates.[1][2] The accretionary flux (sediment supply in and out) also determines the rate at which the sedimentation wedges grow within the forearc.[1]
The age of the oceanic crust along with the convergent velocity controls the coupling across the converging interface of the continental and oceanic crust. The strength of this coupling controls the deformation associated with the event and can be seen in the forearc region deformation signatures.[2]
Seismicity
The intense interaction between the overriding and underthrusting plates in the forearc regions have shown to evolve strong coupling mechanisms which result in megathrust earthquakes such as the Tohoku-oki earthquake which occurred off the Pacific coast of Northeast Japan (Tian and Liu. 2013). These mega thrust earthquakes may be correlated with low values of heat flow generally associated with forearc regions. Geothermal data shows a heat flow of ~30–40 mW/m2, which indicates cold, strong mantle.[5]
Examples
One good example is the Mariana forearc, where scientists have done extensive research. In this setting there is an erosive margin and forearc slope which consists of 2 km high and 30 km diameter serpentine- mud volcanoes. The erosive properties of these volcanoes are consistent with the metamorphic grades (blueschists) expected for this region in the forearc. There is evidence from geothermal data and models which show the slab-mantle interface, levels of friction and the cool oceanic lithosphere at the trench.[2] Other good examples are:
Einsele, Gerhard (2000) Sedimentary Basins : Evolution, Facies, and Sediment Budget 2nd ed., Ch. 12, Springer ISBN3-540-66193-X
USGS definition
^ abcdFuller, C. W; Willet, S.D.; Brandon, M.T. (2006). "Formation of forearc basins and their influence on subduction zone earthquakes". Geology. 34 (2): 65–68. Bibcode:2006Geo....34...65F. doi:10.1130/g21828.1.
^ abcdefghijKearey, Philip; Klepeis, A. Keith; Fredrick, Vine J. (2009). Global Tectonics (3rd ed.). Singapore by Moarkono: J. Wiley. pp. 1–400. ISBN978-1-4051-0777-8.
^Casey, J.; Dewey, J. (2013). "Arc/Forearc Lengthening at Plate Triple junctions and the Formation of Ophiolitic Soles". Geological Research Abstracts. 13: 13430. Bibcode:2013EGUGA..1513430C.
^ abBrown, D.; Spadea, P (2013). "Processes of forearc and accretionary complex formation during arc-continent collision in the southern Ural Mountains". Geology. 27 (7): 649–652. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0649:pofaac>2.3.co;2.
^Tian, L.; Liu, Lucy (2013). "Geophysical properties and seismotectonics of the Tohoku forearc region". Geological Survey of Japan. 64: 235–244. Bibcode:2013JAESc..64..235T. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2012.12.023.
January 31, 2023
forearc, plate, tectonic, term, referring, region, between, oceanic, trench, also, known, subduction, zone, associated, volcanic, regions, present, along, convergent, margins, eponymously, form, front, volcanic, arcs, that, characteristic, convergent, plate, m. Forearc is a plate tectonic term referring to a region between an oceanic trench also known as a subduction zone and the associated volcanic arc Forearc regions are present along a convergent margins and eponymously form in front of the volcanic arcs that are characteristic of convergent plate margins A back arc region is the companion region behind the volcanic arc Many forearcs have an accretionary wedge which may form a topographic ridge known as an outer arc ridge that parallels the volcanic arc Between the accretionary wedge and the volcanic arc a forearc basin sometimes referred to as an outer arc trough may be present and can accumulate thick deposits of sediment Due to tectonic stresses as one tectonic plate rides over another forearc regions are sources for great thrust earthquakes 1 2 Contents 1 Formation 2 Structure 3 Models 4 Seismicity 5 Examples 6 See also 7 ReferencesFormation EditDuring subduction an oceanic plate is thrust below another tectonic plate which may be oceanic or continental Water and other volatiles in the down going plate cause flux melting in the upper mantle creating magma that rises and penetrates the overriding plate forming a volcanic arc The weight of the down going slab flexes the down going plate creating an oceanic trench The area between the trench and the arc is the forearc region and the area behind the arc i e on the side away from the trench is the back arc region Initial theories proposed that the oceanic trenches and magmatic arcs were the primary suppliers of the accretionary sedimentation wedges in the forearc regions More recent discovery suggests that some of the accreted material in the forearc region is from a mantle source along with trench turbidites derived from continental material This theory holds due to evidence of pelagic sediments and continental crust being subducted in processes known as sediment subduction and subduction erosion respectively 2 Over geological time there is constant recycling of the forearc deposits due to erosion deformation and sedimentary subduction The constant circulation of material in the forearc region accretionary prism forearc basin and trench generates a mixture of igneous metamorphic and sedimentary sequences In general there is an increase in metamorphic grade from trench to arc where highest grade blueschist to eclogite is structurally uplifted in the prisms compared to the younger deposits basins Forearc regions are also where ophiolites are emplaced should obduction occur but such deposits are not continuous and can often be removed by erosion 2 3 As tectonic plates converge the closing of an ocean will result in the convergence of two landmasses each of which is either an island arc or continental margin When these two bodies collide the result is orogenesis at which time the underthrusting oceanic crust slows down 2 4 In early stages of arc continent collision there is uplift and erosion of the accretionary prism and forearc basin In the later stages of collision the forearc region may be sutured rotated and shortened which can form syn collisional folds and thrust belts Structure EditThe forearc region includes any forearc basin outer arc high accretionary prism and the trench itself 2 The accretionary prism is located at the slope of the trench break where there is significantly decreased slope angle Between the break and the magmatic arc a sedimentary basin filled with erosive material from the volcanic arc and substrate can accumulate into a forearc basin which overlays the oldest thrust slices in the wedge of the forearc region 2 In general the forearc topography specifically in the trench region is trying to achieve an equilibrium between buoyancy and tectonic forces caused by subduction Upward motion of the forearc is related to buoyancy forces and the downward motion is associated with the tectonic forcing which causes the oceanic lithosphere to descend 2 The relationship between surface slope and subduction thrust also plays a huge role in the variation of forearc structure and deformation 1 A subduction wedge can be classified as either stable with little deformation or unstable with pervasive internal deformation see section on Models Some common deformation in forearc sediments are synsedimentary deformation and olistostromes such as that seen in the Magnitogorsk forearc region 4 Models Edit Types of forearcs There are two models which characterize a forearc basin formation and deformation and are dependent on sediment deposition and subsidence see figure The first model is associated with a forearc basin formed with little to no sediment supply Conversely the second model is associated with sediment supply Topographic depressions which are accretionary and nonaccretionary in nature will depend on the supply of oceanic plate sediments continentally derived clastic material and orthogonal convergence rates 1 2 The accretionary flux sediment supply in and out also determines the rate at which the sedimentation wedges grow within the forearc 1 The age of the oceanic crust along with the convergent velocity controls the coupling across the converging interface of the continental and oceanic crust The strength of this coupling controls the deformation associated with the event and can be seen in the forearc region deformation signatures 2 Seismicity EditThe intense interaction between the overriding and underthrusting plates in the forearc regions have shown to evolve strong coupling mechanisms which result in megathrust earthquakes such as the Tohoku oki earthquake which occurred off the Pacific coast of Northeast Japan Tian and Liu 2013 These mega thrust earthquakes may be correlated with low values of heat flow generally associated with forearc regions Geothermal data shows a heat flow of 30 40 mW m2 which indicates cold strong mantle 5 Examples EditOne good example is the Mariana forearc where scientists have done extensive research In this setting there is an erosive margin and forearc slope which consists of 2 km high and 30 km diameter serpentine mud volcanoes The erosive properties of these volcanoes are consistent with the metamorphic grades blueschists expected for this region in the forearc There is evidence from geothermal data and models which show the slab mantle interface levels of friction and the cool oceanic lithosphere at the trench 2 Other good examples are Central Andean Forearc Banda Forearc Savu Wetar Forearc Luzon arc forearc Tohoku Forearc Between Western Cordillera and Peru Chile TrenchSee also EditBack arc regionReferences EditEinsele Gerhard 2000 Sedimentary Basins Evolution Facies and Sediment Budget 2nd ed Ch 12 Springer ISBN 3 540 66193 X USGS definition Forearc Basin Architecture abstract a b c d Fuller C W Willet S D Brandon M T 2006 Formation of forearc basins and their influence on subduction zone earthquakes Geology 34 2 65 68 Bibcode 2006Geo 34 65F doi 10 1130 g21828 1 a b c d e f g h i j Kearey Philip Klepeis A Keith Fredrick Vine J 2009 Global Tectonics 3rd ed Singapore by Moarkono J Wiley pp 1 400 ISBN 978 1 4051 0777 8 Casey J Dewey J 2013 Arc Forearc Lengthening at Plate Triple junctions and the Formation of Ophiolitic Soles Geological Research Abstracts 13 13430 Bibcode 2013EGUGA 1513430C a b Brown D Spadea P 2013 Processes of forearc and accretionary complex formation during arc continent collision in the southern Ural Mountains Geology 27 7 649 652 doi 10 1130 0091 7613 1999 027 lt 0649 pofaac gt 2 3 co 2 Tian L Liu Lucy 2013 Geophysical properties and seismotectonics of the Tohoku forearc region Geological Survey of Japan 64 235 244 Bibcode 2013JAESc 64 235T doi 10 1016 j jseaes 2012 12 023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Forearc amp oldid 1129819706, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
