The processes of underthrusting and underplating in the geologic record: structural diversity between the Franciscan Complex (California), the Kodiak Complex (Alaska) and the Internal Ligurian Units (Italy)

Existing studies on active subduction margins have documented the wide diversity in structural style between accretionary prisms, both in space and time. Together with physical boundary conditions of the margins, the thickness of sedimentary successions carried by the lower plate seems to play a key role in controlling the deformation and fluid flow during accretion. We have tested the influence of the subducting sedimentary section by comparing the structural style and fluid‐related structures of four units from three fossil accretionary complexes characterized by similar physical conditions but different subducting sediment thicknesses: (1) the Franciscan Complex of California, (2) the Internal Ligurian Units of Italy and (3) the Kodiak Complex, Alaska.

[1]  D. Fisher Fabrics and Veins in the Forearc: A Record of Cyclic Fluid Flow at Depths of <15 Km , 2013 .

[2]  M. Marroni,et al.  Fluid flow during accretion in sediment-dominated margins: Evidence of a high-permeability fossil fault zone from the Internal Ligurian accretionary units of the Northern Apennines, Italy , 2007 .

[3]  C. Rowe,et al.  Large-scale pseudotachylytes and fluidized cataclasites from an ancient subduction thrust fault , 2005 .

[4]  P. Clift,et al.  Controls on tectonic accretion versus erosion in subduction zones: Implications for the origin and recycling of the continental crust , 2004 .

[5]  M. Marroni,et al.  From accretion to exhumation in a fossil accretionary wedge: a case history from Gottero unit (Northern Apennines, Italy) , 2004 .

[6]  A. Taira,et al.  Deformation and fluid pressure variation during initiation and evolution of the plate boundary décollement zone in the Nankai accretionary prism , 2003 .

[7]  M. L. Miller,et al.  Life and death of the Resurrection plate: Evidence for its existence and subduction in the northeastern Pacific in Paleocene-Eocene time , 2003 .

[8]  A. Klaus,et al.  Fracture porosity in the décollement zone of Nankai accretionary wedge using Logging While Drilling resistivity data , 2003 .

[9]  K. Ujiie Evolution and kinematics of an ancient décollement zone, mélange in the Shimanto accretionary complex of Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Arc , 2002 .

[10]  M. Marroni,et al.  Debris flow and slide deposits at the top of the Internal Liguride ophiolitic sequence, Northern Apennines, Italy: A record of frontal tectonic erosion in a fossil accretionary wedge , 2001 .

[11]  C. Passchier,et al.  Shear sense indicators in striped bedding-veins , 2000 .

[12]  B. Bekins,et al.  Fluid budgets at convergent plate margins: Implications for the extent and duration of fault-zone dilation , 1999 .

[13]  N. Bangs,et al.  Fluid accumulation and channeling along the northern Barbados Ridge decollement thrust , 1999 .

[14]  B. Roberts Low Grade Metamorphism , 1999, Clay Minerals.

[15]  Y. Hashimoto,et al.  Underplating process from melange formation to duplexing: Example from the Cretaceous Shimanto Belt, Kii Peninsula, southwest Japan , 1999 .

[16]  B. Treves,et al.  Hidden Terranes in the Northern Apennines, Italy: A Record of Late Cretaceous‐Oligocene Transpressional Tectonics , 1998, The Journal of Geology.

[17]  A. Klaus,et al.  Introduction to Logging-While-Drilling Investigations of Faulting, Fluid Flow, and Seismic Images of the Northern Barbados Subduction Zone , 1998 .

[18]  T. Kusky,et al.  Controls on accretion of flysch and mélange belts at convergent margins: Evidence from the Chugach Bay thrust and Iceworm mélange, Chugach accretionary wedge, Alaska , 1997 .

[19]  M. Marroni,et al.  Metamorphic grade in metapelites of the internal Liguride units (Northern Apennines, Italy) , 1996 .

[20]  J. Moore,et al.  Negative‐polarity seismic reflections along faults of the Oregon accretionary prism: Indicators of overpressuring , 1995 .

[21]  Gaku Kimura,et al.  The latest Cretaceous‐Early Paleogene rapid growth of accretionary complex and exhumation of high pressure series metamorphic rocks in northwestern Pacific margin , 1994 .

[22]  Kevin M. Brown,et al.  Heterogeneous hydrofracture development and accretionary fault dynamics , 1994 .

[23]  M. Burkhard Calcite twins, their geometry, appearance and significance as stress-strain markers and indicators of tectonic regime : a review , 1993 .

[24]  Susan L. Brantley,et al.  Models of quartz overgrowth and vein formation: Deformation and episodic fluid flow in an ancient subduction zone , 1992 .

[25]  D. Fisher,et al.  Strain variations in an ancient accretionary complex: Implications for forearc evolution , 1992 .

[26]  X. Pichon,et al.  Fluid venting activity within the eastern Nankai Trough accretionary wedge: A summary of the 1989 Kaiko-Nankai results , 1992 .

[27]  J. Wakabayashi Nappes, Tectonics of Oblique Plate Convergence, and Metamorphic Evolution Related to 140 Million Years of Continuous Subduction, Franciscan Complex, California , 1992, The Journal of Geology.

[28]  R. Huene,et al.  OBSERVATIONS AT CONVERGENT MARGINS CONCERNING SEDIMENT SUBDUCTION, SUBDUCTION EROSION, AND THE GROWTH , 1991 .

[29]  S. Agar,et al.  The microstructural evolution of fluid flow paths in semi-lithified sediments from subduction complexes , 1991, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[30]  A. Taira,et al.  Sediment deformation and fluid activity in the Nankai, Izu-Bonin and Japan forearc slopes and trenches , 1991, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[31]  Henry Elderfield,et al.  Fluids in convergent margins: what do we know about their composition, origin, role in diagenesis and importance for oceanic chemical fluxes? , 1991, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[32]  G. Kimura,et al.  Underplated units in an accretionary complex: Melange of the Shimanto Belt of eastern Shikoku, southwest Japan , 1991 .

[33]  D. Fisher,et al.  Evidence for a weak and overpressured décollement beneath sediment‐dominated accretionary prisms , 1990 .

[34]  J. Gieskes,et al.  Hydrogeochemistry of the Northern Barbados Accretionary Complex Transect: Ocean Drilling Project Leg 110 , 1990 .

[35]  M. Langseth,et al.  Fluids in accretionary prisms , 1990 .

[36]  Colin F. Williams,et al.  Tectonics and hydrogeology of the northern Barbados Ridge: Results from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 110 , 1988 .

[37]  P. Vrolijk,et al.  Warm fluid migration along tectonic melanges in the Kodiak Accretionary Complex, Alaska , 1988 .

[38]  J. Sample,et al.  The development of folds and cleavages in slate belts by underplating in accretionary complexes: A comparison of the Kodiak Formation, Alaska and the Calaveras Complex, California , 1988 .

[39]  D. Fisher,et al.  Structural evolution of underthrusted sediments, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1987 .

[40]  J. Moore,et al.  Thickening of fault zones: A mechanism of melange formation in accreting sediments , 1987 .

[41]  W. A. V. Wamel On the tectonics of the Ligurian Apennines (Northern Italy) , 1987 .

[42]  Allan Cox,et al.  Relative Motions Between Oceanic and Continental Plates in the Pacific Basin , 1986 .

[43]  D. Fisher,et al.  Duplex accretion and underplating in an ancient accretionary complex, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1986 .

[44]  D. Cowan Structural styles in Mesozoic and Cenozoic mélanges in the western Cordillera of North America , 1985 .

[45]  J. Murphy,et al.  Flow mélanges: Numerical modeling and geologic constraints on their origin in the Franciscan subduction complex, California: Discussion and reply , 1983 .

[46]  T. Nilsen,et al.  Submarine-fan facies associations of the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene Gottero Sandstone, Ligurian Apennines, Italy , 1983 .

[47]  M. Cloos Flow melanges: Numerical modeling and geologic constraints on their origin in the Franciscan subduction complex, California , 1982 .

[48]  Alan O. Allwardt,et al.  Progressive deformation of a Tertiary Trench Slope, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1980 .

[49]  W. Connelly Uyak Complex, Kodiak Islands, Alaska: A Cretaceous subduction complex , 1978 .

[50]  J. Moore Orientation of underthrusting during latest Cretaceous and earliest Tertiary time, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1978 .

[51]  D. Karig,et al.  Subduction and Accretion in Trenches , 1975 .

[52]  D. Cowan Deformation and Metamorphism of the Franciscan Subduction Zone Complex Northwest of Pacheco Pass, California , 1974 .

[53]  K. Hsü,et al.  Principles of Mélanges and Their Bearing on the Franciscan-Knoxville Paradox , 1968 .

[54]  M. Hanna Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists , 1927 .

[55]  J. Moore,et al.  Deformation and hydrofracture in a subduction thrust at seismogenic depths: The Rodeo Cove thrust zone, Marin Headlands, California , 2007 .

[56]  A. Taira,et al.  SEDIMENTARY FACIES EVOLUTION OF THE NANKAI FOREARC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SHIMANTO ACCRETIONARY PRISM , 2006 .

[57]  J. Sample,et al.  Large-scale, latest Cretaceous uplift along the Northeast Pacific Rim: Evidence from sediment volume, sandstone petrography, and Nd isotope signatures of the Kodiak Formation, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 2003 .

[58]  M. Marroni,et al.  Internal Liguride Units from Central Liguria, Italy: new constraints to the tectonic setting from white mica and chlorite studies , 2001 .

[59]  R. Graymer,et al.  Geologic map and map database of parts of Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Sonoma counties, California , 2000 .

[60]  M. Ducci,et al.  Tectonic framework of the Northern Ligurian Apennine, Italy , 1997 .

[61]  M. Marroni,et al.  The deformation history of an accreted ophiolite sequence: the Internal Liguride units (Northern apennines, Italy) , 1996 .

[62]  J. Moore,et al.  Geology of the southern Alaska margin , 1994 .

[63]  M. Marroni,et al.  L'Unità di Colli/Tavarone in alta Val di Vara (Appennino ligure): caratteristiche litostratigrafiche ed assetto strutturale. , 1993 .

[64]  A. Taira,et al.  27. SEDIMENTARY FACIES EVOLUTION OF THE NANKAI FOREARC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SHIMANTO ACCRETIONARY PRISM1 , 1993 .

[65]  R. Bevins,et al.  Low Grade Metamorphism , 1992 .

[66]  M. Marroni Deformation history of the Mt. Gottero Unit (integral Ligurid units, Northern Apennines) , 1991 .

[67]  J. Moore Tectonics and hydrogeology of accretionary prisms: role of the décollement zone , 1989 .

[68]  S. Wojtal,et al.  Nature of deformation in some fault rocks from Appalachian thrusts , 1988 .

[69]  J. Sample,et al.  Structural style and kinematics of an underplated slate belt, Kodiak and adjacent islands, Alaska , 1987 .

[70]  L. Cortesogno,et al.  Nuovi dati sul metamorfismo di basso grado nelle unità liguridi interne e loro possibile significato nell'evoluzione strutturale dell' Appennino Settentrionale , 1987 .

[71]  R. Knipe Deformation mechanism path diagrams for sediments undergoing lithification , 1986 .

[72]  S. Roeske Field relations and metamorphism of the Raspberry Schist, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1986 .

[73]  E. Silver,et al.  Comments on the growth of accretionary wedges , 1985 .

[74]  T. Byrne Early deformation in melange terranes of the Ghost Rocks Formation, Kodiak Islands, Alaska , 1984 .

[75]  R. Huene Structural diversity along modern convergent margins and the role of overpressured pore fluids in subduction zones , 1984 .

[76]  A. Jayko,et al.  Tectonostratigraphic Terranes of the San Francisco Bay Region , 1984 .

[77]  F. B. Curry,et al.  Paleomagnetism of Franciscan Rocks in the Marin Headlands , 1984 .

[78]  C. Wahrhaftig Structure of the Marin Headlands Block, California: A Progress Report , 1984 .

[79]  B. Murchey Biostratigraphy and Lithostratigraphy of Chert in the Franciscan Complex, Marin Headlands, California , 1984 .

[80]  T. Byrne Structural evolution of coherent terranes in the Ghost Rocks Formation, Kodiak Island, Alaska , 1982, Geological Society, London, Special Publications.

[81]  Valerio Bortolotti,et al.  Carta delle ofioliti del Bargonasco e della Val Graveglia , 1980 .

[82]  P. Pertusati,et al.  Studio strutturale degli Scisti di Val Lavagna (Unita del Monte Gottero, Appennino ligure) , 1975 .

[83]  J. Moore,et al.  Deformation and hydrofracture in a subduction thrust at 1 seismogenic depths : the Rodeo Cove thrust zone , 2022 .