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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2003; v. 218; p. 481-505;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.2003.218.01.25
© 2003 Geological Society of London

Regional Occurrence of Ophiolites and Geodynamics

Geodynamic patterns of ophiolites and marginal basins in the Indonesian and New Guinea regions

Ron Harris

Department of Geology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 86402-4606, USA rharris{at}byu.edu

Analysis of spatial, temporal, geological and geochemical patterns of ophiolites in the Indonesian and New Guinea region indicates a strong correlation with marginal basin development and closure. The spatial distribution of ophiolites is mostly linked with marginal basin producing zones of oblique convergence and collision. Strain partitioning in these zones creates a series of ephemeral plate boundaries between several independently moving lithospheric blocks. Repeated disruption of the diffuse boundaries between the blocks by changes in plate motion and collision-induced mantle extrusion creates space that is rapidly filled by new ocean basins in the upper plate of subduction zones. Suprasubduction zone (SSZ) spreading of these basins is enhanced by episodic extrusion of asthenosphere escaping collisional suture zones. Various closure events and global plate motion changes are reflected in the temporal distribution of marginal basin and ophiolite ages. Most ophiolite slabs in the Indonesian and New Guinea region represent fragments of oceanic lithosphere with a subduction zone component, as indicated by the common refractory petrochemistry of the mantle sequence and occurrence of boninite. Age and compositional heterogeneity may indicate that some ophiolite bodies are composite terranes. Collisions with buoyant lithosphere transform parts of these ocean basins into ophiolites. The connection between ophiolites and marginal basins is strongest where parts of actively spreading SSZ basins are partially represented as ophiolites in collision zones.





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