Structure imposed on New Hebrides island arc by subduction of d'Entrecasteaux zone, a major submarine mountain chain

Conference · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7229940

Fisher, M A; Collot, J Y; Recy, J; Daniel, J

The northwest-trending New Hebrides island arc marks the juncture between the subducting Australia-India plate on the west and the overriding Pacific plate and North Fiji basin on the east. The d'Entrecasteaux zone (DEZ), which consists of two subparallel, high standing (1-2 km) ridges, trends eastward across the India-Australia plate and collides with the central part of the arc. Recently, considerable new geologic and geophysical information-including dredged rock samples, seismic refraction and multichannel seismic reflection data, Seabeam bathymetry, and locally detailed magnetic and gravity data-has been obtained over this collision zone. The author's studies use these data to investigate the structure and evolution of this collision zone. Theoretical studies and interpretation of multichannel seismic data suggest that the basin may have deepened substantially during collision of the DEZ and arc. Hence, understanding the tectonic processes that attend arc-ridge collisions will not only contribute to our general understanding of the development of intra-arc basins, but also may help determine whether hydrocarbons have been generated within the Aoba basin.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
• OSTI ID: 7229940
• Report Number(s): CONF-8608105-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 70:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BATHYMETRY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
ISLANDS
NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SURVEYS