Structure of the Lesser Antilles subduction forearc and backstop from 3D seismic refraction tomography.

Evain, M., Galve, A., Charvis, P., Laigle, M., Kopp, Heidrun , Weinzierl, Wolfgang , Hirn, A., Flueh, Ernst R. and Gallart, J. and Thales Scientific Party (2013) Structure of the Lesser Antilles subduction forearc and backstop from 3D seismic refraction tomography. Tectonophysics, 603 . pp. 55-67. DOI 10.1016/j.tecto.2011.09.021.

[thumbnail of Corrected Proof] Text (Corrected Proof)
Evain_Corr._proof.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (786kB)
[thumbnail of Evain.pdf] Text
Evain.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (4MB) | Contact

Supplementary data:

Abstract

In 2007 the Sismantilles II experiment was conducted to constrain structure and seismicity in the central
Lesser Antilles subduction zone. The seismic refraction data recorded by a network of 27 OBSs over an
area of 65 km×95 km provide new insights on the crustal structure of the forearc offshore Martinique
and Dominica islands. The tomographic inversion of first arrival travel times provides a 3D P-wave velocity
model down to 15 km.
Basement velocity gradients depict that the forearc is made up of two distinct units: A high velocity gradient
domain named the inner forearc in comparison to a lower velocity gradient domain located further trenchward
named the outer forearc. Whereas the inner forearc appears as a rigid block uplifted and possibly tilted as a
whole to the south, short wavelength deformations of the outer forearc basement are observed, beneath a 3
to 6 km thick sedimentary pile, in relation with the subduction of the Tiburon Ridge and associated seafloor
reliefs.
North, offshore Dominica Island, the outer forearc is 70 km wide. It extends as far as 180 km to the east of the
volcanic front where it acts as a backstop on which the accretionary wedge developed. Its width decreases
strongly to the south to terminate offshore Martinique where the inner forearc acts as the backstop.
The inner forearc is likely the extension at depth of theMesozoicmagmatic crust outcropping to the north in La
Désirade Island and along the scarp of the Karukera Spur.
The outer forearc could be either the eastern prolongation of the inner forearc, but the crust was thinned and
fractured during the past tectonic history of the area or by recent subduction processes, or an oceanic terrane
more recently accreted to the island arc.

Document Type: Article
Additional Information: WOS:000324450100004
Keywords: Seismology; Geodynamics; Lesser Antilles subduction zone ; 3D seismic refraction ; tomography ; Forearc crustal structure ; Backstop
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Elsevier
Projects: Thales Was Right, Future Ocean
Date Deposited: 09 Jan 2012 10:15
Last Modified: 05 Dec 2017 12:33
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/13315

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item