Magnetic anomalies and tectonic fabric of marginal basins North of New Zealand
Detailed airborne magnetic studies conducted over the region of the S. W. Pacific marginal basins extending from the Solomon Islands to New Zealand suggest that three major phases of basin formation and island arc development have occurred in this region. Development of the Tasman Sea took place during the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene. Development of the basins to the east of the Tasman Sea occurred predominantly during the Oligocene as well as during the Upper Miocene to Recent. The South Fuji Basin, consisting of the Kupe and Minerva Abyssal Plains, is marked by the presence of possibly two RRR triple junction spreading centers that were active between the times of anomalies 13 to 7 (36--25.5 m.y.). The Kupe Abyssal Plain shows the presence of residual magnetic anomalies 7 to 13 of the eastern limb of the proposed spreading center. The western limb appears to have been subducted beneath the present site of the Three Kings Rise. This seafloor spreading phase (calculated half-spreading rate of 35 mm/yr) was coincident with the overthrusting phase of the New Caledonia ultramafic rocks. During that period, active volcanism along the then continuous Solomons-New Hebrides-Fiji-Lau Island arc was taking place. Magnetic anomalies from 1 to 4 (0--8 m.y. B. P.) are seen to extend along a clearly defined lineation pattern over the North Fuji Basin.
- Research Organization:
- National Ocean Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration, Rockville, Maryland 20852
- OSTI ID:
- 7064270
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 87:B5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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