Evolution of the Grenada and Tobago basins and implications for arc migration

Kinematic reconstruction of the Caribbean region since the Early Jurassic

“…Different models for basin opening have been proposed, as outlined by Bird et al (1993), Bird et al (1999) and Aitken et al (2011). These models vary in spreading direction (east-west (e.g.…”

“…In the models of Bouysse (1988) and Pindell and Barrett (1990), the Grenada Basin formed as a result of right-lateral shear between the Great Arc and the South American continent. Aitken et al (2011) proposed a different model of evolution of the Lesser Antilles subduction system based on seismic, well and onshore geological data. The basement of the Grenada and Tobago basins, on both sides of the active Lesser Antilles Arc, is considered to be the extended oceanic forearc of the Aves Ridge, widened (in E-W direction) in the Paleocene-Middle Eocene.…”

“…Arc volcanics in the Lesser Antilles Arc and Aves Ridge are dated ranging from 38 to 0 Ma (Briden et al, 1979) and from 88 to 59 Ma (Neill et al, 2011) respectively, suggesting that the transition of the active arc from the Aves Ridge to the Lesser Antilles Arc took place between 59 and 38 Ma. We followed the model of subduction system evolution of Aitken et al (2011), considering the Grenada Basin to be the forearc of the Aves Ridge that widened by E-W extension in the Paleocene-Middle Eocene, after which active volcanism ceased in the Aves Ridge and migrated to the Lesser Antilles Arc, separating the former forearc into the Grenada and Tobago Basins. We kept the island of Tobago fixed to the eastern edge of the Tobago Basin; restoring E-W Paleogene extension in the eastern Caribbean forearc brings Tobago closer to the southern tip of the Aves Ridge (see also Section 5.2.5).…”

“…Based on paleomagnetic studies (Stearns et al, 1982;Burmester et al, 1996), we reconstructed a 90°rotation of the Netherlands Antilles and Tobago area between 50 and 65 Ma, lining up the arc material between the Aves Rige and arc material of the Northern Andes at 65 Ma. We followed Aitken et al (2011) for opening of the Tobago and Grenada Basins, and fixed the island of Tobago to the eastern edge of the Tobago Basin.…”

Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Carboniferous arc-related basin in the East Junggar Basin, northwest China: Insights into its link with the subduction process

“…An important factor in basin analysis and paleotectonic reconstruction is the preservability of tectonostratigraphic assemblages (Ingersoll, 1988;Busby and Ingersoll, 1995). These stratigraphic record possesses some singular advantages: (1) sedimentation is generally more continuous in both time and space, resulting in more reliable chronostratigraphic records and regional correlations (Mitchum et al, 1977;Carroll et al, 1995;Gasperini et al, 2010;Aitken et al, 2011); (2) acquisition of highresolution geophysical data is carried out recently, providing new three-dimensional constraints on the ages, architectures and origins of the sedimentary basin; and (3) numerous drill cores recovered from the subsurface are also significant for petrological and geochemical studies in a reliable chronostratigraphic framework. They often provide a more continuous and precise record than that available from deformed belts in outcrop.…”