Tag: New Hebrides-New Britain

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New Hebrides-New Britain SZI Events

New Hebrides-New Britain subduction zone initiation

Schematic tectonic reconstruction of the New Hebrides-New Britain SZI event (modified from Schellart et al., 2006 and Holm et al., 2016). The collision of the Ontong Java plateau with the trench of the Melanesian subduction zone is suggested to have caused a flip in subduction polarity, initiating the New Hebrides-New Britain subduction zone. Shown are the new subduction zone (pink line) and other active (solid purple lines) and inactive (dashed purple lines) subduction zones.
Schematic tectonic reconstruction of the New Hebrides-New Britain SZI event (modified from Schellart et al., 2006 and Holm et al., 2016). The collision of the Ontong Java plateau with the trench of the Melanesian subduction zone is suggested to have caused a flip in subduction polarity, initiating the New Hebrides-New Britain subduction zone. Shown are the new subduction zone (pink line) and other active (solid purple lines) and inactive (dashed purple lines) subduction zones.

The New Hebrides – New Britain subduction zone (NHNB SZI) formed from a polarity reversal of subduction around 10 million years ago, impacting volcanic activity. Geological evidence shows a cyclical pattern of arc volcanism, with evidence of the North Fiji basin opening dating back to 12-8 million years. Seismic data confirm significant slab structures today.