Tag: Ryukyu

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Ryukyu SZI Events

Ryukyu subduction zone initiation

Schematic tectonic reconstruction of the Ryukyu SZI event (modified from Faccenna et al., 2018). A slab break-off event caused a pause in arc activity. Subduction of the Philippine Sea plate started again along the same margin, initiating the new Ryukyu subduction zone. Shown are the new subduction zone (pink line), other active (solid purple lines) and inactive (dashed purple lines) subduction zones, and spreading ridges (solid red lines).
Schematic tectonic reconstruction of the Ryukyu SZI event (modified from Faccenna et al., 2018). A slab break-off event caused a pause in arc activity. Subduction of the Philippine Sea plate started again along the same margin, initiating the new Ryukyu subduction zone. Shown are the new subduction zone (pink line), other active (solid purple lines) and inactive (dashed purple lines) subduction zones, and spreading ridges (solid red lines).

The Ryukyu SZI event marks the reinitiation of subduction of the Philippine Sea plate beneath the Eurasian plate, evidenced by two distinct SZI events. The older event lacks significant geological evidence, while the younger event, occurring around 6 Ma, has associated volcanic activity. Current plate models do not include this SZI event.