CONCLUSIONS

  • Interaction of Atlantic bathymetric features with the leading plate margin has induced a series of effects of the evolution of the Lesser Antilles Island Arc.
  • The presence or absence of aseismic ridges on the subducting Atlantic plate is the most constraining factor in all aspects of arc volcanism.
  • Subduction of large buoyant ridges leads to regional collision events while subduction of non-buoyant ridges creates local interactions with the overriding plate.
  • Volcanism along the arc varies in periodicity and composition.

REFERENCES

Bouysse, P., and Westercamp, D., 1990, Subduction of Atlantic Aseismic Ridges and Late Cenozoic Evolution of the Lesser Antilles Island Arc, Tectonophysics, vol. 175 , p. 349-380.

Stein, S., Engeln, J.F., and Wiens, D.A., 1982, Subduction Seismicity and Tectonics in the Lesser Antilles Arc, Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 87, no. B10, p. 8642-8664.

Westercamp, D., 1988, Magma Generation in the Lesser Antilles:  Geological Constraints, Tectonophysics, vol. 149, p. 145-163.

Back     Home