The formation and tectonic evolution of Philippine Sea Plate and KPR

Abstract

The Philippine Sea Plate has an extremely special tectonic background. As an oceanic plate, it is almost entirely surrounded by subduction zones with complex internal tectonic features. On the basis of enormous published literature, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of the tectonic and evolution history of the Philippine Basin and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge (KPR) in the Philippine Sea Plate, and discusses the geological features of KPR. Referring to relevant definitions of various "ridges" stipulated in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, so the KPR is believed to be a remnant arc formed during the opening of the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins in the Philippine Sea Plate. It is a submarine ridge on oceanic plate rather than a submarine elevation. And thus, it is not a natural component of the Japan continental margin.

Geological comparative studies of Japan arc system and Kyushu-Palau arc

“…Hall (2002) described the tectonic evolution of west Pacific region including PSP since 55 Ma. Based on updated data, Fang et al (2011) systematically reviews the formation and evolution of PSP. Nevertheless, we will not discuss the tectonic evolution of PSP here in detail.…”