Molucca Sea plate: Difference between revisions
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Located in the western Pacific Ocean near Indonesia, the Molucca Sea Plate has been classified by scientists as a fully subducted microplate that is part of the Molucca Sea Collision Complex. The Molucca Sea Plate represents the only known example of [[divergent double subduction]] (DDS), which describes the subduction on both sides of a single oceanic plate.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Zhang|first=Qingwen|last2=Guo|first2=Feng|last3=Zhao|first3=Liang|last4=Wu|first4=Yangming|date=2017-05|title=Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/2017JB013991|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=122|issue=5|pages=3977–3998|doi=10.1002/2017jb013991|issn=2169-9313}}</ref> |
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{{Infobox tectonic plate |
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[[File:MoluccaSeaCollisionZone.png|thumb|450x450px|Molucca Sea Collision Zone modified by Zhang et al.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zhang|first=Qingwen|last2=Guo|first2=Feng|last3=Zhao|first3=Liang|last4=Wu|first4=Yangming|date=2017-05|title=Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/2017JB013991|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=122|issue=5|pages=3977–3998|doi=10.1002/2017jb013991|issn=2169-9313}}</ref> using GeoMapApp]] |
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| image = File:MoluccaPlate.png |
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| alt = The Molucca Sea Plate |
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| type = [[List of tectonic plates#Minor plates|Minor]] |
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| move_direction = ? |
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| move_speed = ? |
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| geo_features = [[Molucca Sea]] |
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}} |
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==Tectonic Setting== |
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The '''Molucca Sea Plate''' (also '''Molucca Sea Microplate''') has been characterized by different investigators as both a former and current microplate in the Indonesian archipelago near the eastern portion of the [[Greater Sunda Islands]]. |
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The Molucca Sea Plate is one of many tectonic features that compose the [[Molucca Sea Collision Zone|Molucca Sea Collision Complex]], which refers to the tectonic relationship of the [[Sangihe Plate]], [[Halmahera Plate]], and the Molucca Sea Plate, in addition to the volcanic [[Halmahera Arc|Halmahera]] and [[Sangihe Plate|Sangihe]] Arcs. The southeast moving [[Sangihe Plate]] is situated along the western boundary of the Molucca Sea Plate. The northwest moving [[Halmahera Plate]] is situated along the eastern boundary of the Molucca Sea Plate. In the western [[Pacific Ocean]], the [[Molucca Sea]] is bordered by the Indonesian Islands of Celebes ([[Sulawesi]]) to the west, [[Halmahera]] to the east, and the Sula Islands to the south. The Molucca Sea borders the [[Banda Sea]] to the south and the [[Celebes Sea]] to the west. To the north is the [[Philippine Sea]] and to the east is the [[Halmahera Sea]]. Situated south of [[Mindanao]], the Molucca Sea is a narrow basin underlined by a north‐south [[Ophiolite|ophiolitic]] ridge, which uplifts the central region of the basin.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Silver|first=Eli A.|last2=Moore|first2=J. Casey|date=1978-04-10|title=The Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/JB083iB04p01681|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=83|issue=B4|pages=1681–1691|doi=10.1029/jb083ib04p01681|issn=0148-0227}}</ref> |
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==Plate Mechanics== |
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[[File:CrossSection.png|thumb|450x450px|Cross Section of Molucca Sea Collision Zone modified by Zhang et al.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zhang|first=Qingwen|last2=Guo|first2=Feng|last3=Zhao|first3=Liang|last4=Wu|first4=Yangming|date=2017-05|title=Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/2017JB013991|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=122|issue=5|pages=3977–3998|doi=10.1002/2017jb013991|issn=2169-9313}}</ref>]]<nowiki/> |
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While the scientific community has not come to a consensus as to when the Molucca Sea Plate became fully subducted, the dominant theory is that the Molucca Sea Plate has been completely subducted beneath the overriding [[Halmahera Plate|Halmahera]] and [[Sangihe Plate|Sangihe Plates]].<ref name=":0" /> When actively subducting, the crustal collision of the Molucca Sea Plate was formed by surface intersection of “oppositely dipping [[Wadati–Benioff zone|Benioff zones]]” (also known as divergent double subduction) which results in the the [[Sangihe Plate|Sangihe]]<nowiki/>and Halmahera [[Volcanic arc|volcanic arcs]].<ref name=":1" /> The force exerted by the thick overlying collision complex of the Halmahera and Sangihe Plates effectively depressed the crust of the Molucca Sea Plate.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McCaffre, Silver, Raitt|first=Robert, Eli, Russell|date=1980|title=Crustal Structure of the Molucca Sea Collision Zone,Indonesia|url=http://web.pdx.edu/~mccaf/pubs/mccaffrey_mol_sea_agu_1980.pdf|journal=Geophysical Monograph 23|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> The plate itself features an asymmetrical morphology, configured in an inverted U-shape. The arc-arc collision zone of the Molucca Sea Plate is characterized as a thick, low velocity layer, which is highly variable in density.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1029/GM023p0161|title=The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands|last=McCaffrey|first=Robert|last2=Silver|first2=Eli A.|last3=Raitt|first3=Russell W.|date=1980|publisher=American Geophysical Union|isbn=0875900232|location=Washington, D. C.|pages=161–177|language=en|doi=10.1029/gm023p0161}}</ref> The variable in density of the Molucca Sea Plate led to different subduction velocities on the two sides.<ref name=":0" /> [[Divergent double subduction|Divergent Double Subduction]] may facilitate various tectonic processes, including closure of ocean basins, [[Accretion (geology)|accretion]] and amalgamation of volcanic arcs, and growth of continents.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The Molucca Sea Plate was theorised to be a small [[tectonic plate]] carrying northern [[Sulawesi]], the [[Molucca Sea]] and a portion of the [[Banda Sea]] in a region littered with numerous small plates. The theory suggested a [[subduction zone]] lies along its northern border with the [[Sunda Plate]]. A small [[divergent boundary]] exists along the Sulawesi part of the border with the [[Banda Sea Plate]] and transitions into a convergent boundary as it bisects the [[Banda Sea]]; the rest of the borders being [[Transform boundary|transform boundaries]]. |
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==Current theory== |
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== Earthquakes == |
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More recent scientific studies suggest the Molucca Sea Plate has been totally subsumed by the [[Halmahera Plate]] and the [[Sangihe Plate]], so that no portion of the Molucca Sea Plate remains exposed to Earth's surface. The tectonic setting of this region is unique in that it is the only global example of an active arc-arc collision consuming an oceanic basin via subduction in two directions, between microplates Halmahera Plate and Sangihe Plate.<ref>[https://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009cybb.php#summary USGS.GOV:Magnitude 7.2 – KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA 2009 February 11 17:34:50 UTC]</ref> To the Southeast is the [[Sorong Fault]], a major lateral east-west fault in the region which separates [[Bird's Head Plate]] and Halmahera Plate. |
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[[File:Divergent Double Subduction Zone.png|thumb|450x450px|(Asymmetric) Divergent Double Subduction Zone modified by Zhao et al.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zhang|first=Qingwen|last2=Guo|first2=Feng|last3=Zhao|first3=Liang|last4=Wu|first4=Yangming|date=2017-05|title=Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/2017JB013991|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=122|issue=5|pages=3977–3998|doi=10.1002/2017jb013991|issn=2169-9313}}</ref>]] |
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Historically, the Molucca Sea Plate has experienced hundreds of earthquakes ranging in magnitude.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Silver|first=Eli A.|last2=Moore|first2=J. Casey|date=1978-04-10|title=The Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/JB083iB04p01681|journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth|language=en|volume=83|issue=B4|pages=1681–1691|doi=10.1029/jb083ib04p01681|issn=0148-0227}}</ref> The most recent large earthquake occurred on January 2017 when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake deep beneath the [[Celebes Sea]], which the USGS attributed to the “''deep reverse faulting within the inclined seismic zone defining the deep limit of the Molucca Sea microplate beneath the Celebes Sea Basin.''”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.decodedscience.org/philippines-iran-alaska-far-north-earthquakes-5-11-january-2017/60479|title=Philippines, Iran, Alaska (and the Far North): Earthquakes 5-11 January 2017|date=2017-01-11|work=Decoded Science|access-date=2018-06-03|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Geology == |
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The geologic characteristics displayed on the surrounding islands provide insight regarding the complex plate movement of the [[Divergent double subduction|divergent double subducting]] plate. Detached [[Ophiolite|ophiolitic]] series and thick [[Mélange|melanges]] are overlain by [[forearc]] deposits; subduction-driven east-west shortening of the Snellius Plateau caused the thrust [[Mélange|melanges]] to reactivate and deform the [[forearc]] series.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bader|first=Anne Gaëlle|last2=Pubellier|first2=Manuel|date=2008-07-18|title=Forearc deformation and tectonic significance of the ultramafic Molucca central ridge, Talaud islands (Indonesia)|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1440-1738.2000.00309.x|journal=Island Arc|language=en|volume=9|issue=4|pages=653–663|doi=10.1111/j.1440-1738.2000.00309.x|issn=1038-4871}}</ref> Exposed [[Ophiolite|ophiolitic]] rocks can be found on the islands of the submarine Talaud-Mayu Ridge, which bisects the arc-arc collision zone of the Molucca Sea Plate; these [[Ophiolite|ophiolites]] provide insight regarding the relationship between earthquakes and uplift surrounding the plate.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=McCaffrey|first=Robert|date=1991-04|title=Earthquakes and ophiolite emplacement in the Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/90TC02553|journal=Tectonics|language=en|volume=10|issue=2|pages=433–453|doi=10.1029/90tc02553|issn=0278-7407}}</ref> |
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[[Sangihe Plate]] |
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[[Halmahera Plate]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* |
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*{{cite journal|last=Bird|first=P.|year=2003|title=An updated digital model of plate boundaries|journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems|volume=4|issue=3|pages=1027|url=http://peterbird.name/publications/2003_PB2002/2003_PB2002.htm|doi=10.1029/2001GC000252}} |
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{{Tectonic plates}} |
{{Tectonic plates}} |
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Revision as of 02:10, 3 June 2018
Located in the western Pacific Ocean near Indonesia, the Molucca Sea Plate has been classified by scientists as a fully subducted microplate that is part of the Molucca Sea Collision Complex. The Molucca Sea Plate represents the only known example of divergent double subduction (DDS), which describes the subduction on both sides of a single oceanic plate.[1]
Tectonic Setting
The Molucca Sea Plate is one of many tectonic features that compose the Molucca Sea Collision Complex, which refers to the tectonic relationship of the Sangihe Plate, Halmahera Plate, and the Molucca Sea Plate, in addition to the volcanic Halmahera and Sangihe Arcs. The southeast moving Sangihe Plate is situated along the western boundary of the Molucca Sea Plate. The northwest moving Halmahera Plate is situated along the eastern boundary of the Molucca Sea Plate. In the western Pacific Ocean, the Molucca Sea is bordered by the Indonesian Islands of Celebes (Sulawesi) to the west, Halmahera to the east, and the Sula Islands to the south. The Molucca Sea borders the Banda Sea to the south and the Celebes Sea to the west. To the north is the Philippine Sea and to the east is the Halmahera Sea. Situated south of Mindanao, the Molucca Sea is a narrow basin underlined by a north‐south ophiolitic ridge, which uplifts the central region of the basin.[3]
Plate Mechanics
While the scientific community has not come to a consensus as to when the Molucca Sea Plate became fully subducted, the dominant theory is that the Molucca Sea Plate has been completely subducted beneath the overriding Halmahera and Sangihe Plates.[1] When actively subducting, the crustal collision of the Molucca Sea Plate was formed by surface intersection of “oppositely dipping Benioff zones” (also known as divergent double subduction) which results in the the Sangiheand Halmahera volcanic arcs.[3] The force exerted by the thick overlying collision complex of the Halmahera and Sangihe Plates effectively depressed the crust of the Molucca Sea Plate.[5] The plate itself features an asymmetrical morphology, configured in an inverted U-shape. The arc-arc collision zone of the Molucca Sea Plate is characterized as a thick, low velocity layer, which is highly variable in density.[1][6] The variable in density of the Molucca Sea Plate led to different subduction velocities on the two sides.[1] Divergent Double Subduction may facilitate various tectonic processes, including closure of ocean basins, accretion and amalgamation of volcanic arcs, and growth of continents.[1]
Earthquakes
Historically, the Molucca Sea Plate has experienced hundreds of earthquakes ranging in magnitude.[8] The most recent large earthquake occurred on January 2017 when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake deep beneath the Celebes Sea, which the USGS attributed to the “deep reverse faulting within the inclined seismic zone defining the deep limit of the Molucca Sea microplate beneath the Celebes Sea Basin.”[9]
Geology
The geologic characteristics displayed on the surrounding islands provide insight regarding the complex plate movement of the divergent double subducting plate. Detached ophiolitic series and thick melanges are overlain by forearc deposits; subduction-driven east-west shortening of the Snellius Plateau caused the thrust melanges to reactivate and deform the forearc series.[10] Exposed ophiolitic rocks can be found on the islands of the submarine Talaud-Mayu Ridge, which bisects the arc-arc collision zone of the Molucca Sea Plate; these ophiolites provide insight regarding the relationship between earthquakes and uplift surrounding the plate.[11]
See Also
List of earthquakes in Indonesia
References
 | This tectonics article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- ^ a b c d e Zhang, Qingwen; Guo, Feng; Zhao, Liang; Wu, Yangming (2017-05). "Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 122 (5): 3977–3998. doi:10.1002/2017jb013991. ISSN 2169-9313.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Zhang, Qingwen; Guo, Feng; Zhao, Liang; Wu, Yangming (2017-05). "Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 122 (5): 3977–3998. doi:10.1002/2017jb013991. ISSN 2169-9313.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Silver, Eli A.; Moore, J. Casey (1978-04-10). "The Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 83 (B4): 1681–1691. doi:10.1029/jb083ib04p01681. ISSN 0148-0227.
- ^ Zhang, Qingwen; Guo, Feng; Zhao, Liang; Wu, Yangming (2017-05). "Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 122 (5): 3977–3998. doi:10.1002/2017jb013991. ISSN 2169-9313.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ McCaffre, Silver, Raitt, Robert, Eli, Russell (1980). "Crustal Structure of the Molucca Sea Collision Zone,Indonesia" (PDF). Geophysical Monograph 23.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ McCaffrey, Robert; Silver, Eli A.; Raitt, Russell W. (1980). The Tectonic and Geologic Evolution of Southeast Asian Seas and Islands. Washington, D. C.: American Geophysical Union. pp. 161–177. doi:10.1029/gm023p0161. ISBN 0875900232.
- ^ Zhang, Qingwen; Guo, Feng; Zhao, Liang; Wu, Yangming (2017-05). "Geodynamics of divergent double subduction: 3-D numerical modeling of a Cenozoic example in the Molucca Sea region, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 122 (5): 3977–3998. doi:10.1002/2017jb013991. ISSN 2169-9313.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Silver, Eli A.; Moore, J. Casey (1978-04-10). "The Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia". Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 83 (B4): 1681–1691. doi:10.1029/jb083ib04p01681. ISSN 0148-0227.
- ^ "Philippines, Iran, Alaska (and the Far North): Earthquakes 5-11 January 2017". Decoded Science. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^ Bader, Anne Gaëlle; Pubellier, Manuel (2008-07-18). "Forearc deformation and tectonic significance of the ultramafic Molucca central ridge, Talaud islands (Indonesia)". Island Arc. 9 (4): 653–663. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1738.2000.00309.x. ISSN 1038-4871.
- ^ McCaffrey, Robert (1991-04). "Earthquakes and ophiolite emplacement in the Molucca Sea Collision Zone, Indonesia". Tectonics. 10 (2): 433–453. doi:10.1029/90tc02553. ISSN 0278-7407.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)