A new plate tectonic model of the Caribbean: Implications from a geochemical reconnaissance of Cuban Mesozoic volcanic rocks

Research Article| November 01, 1999 A new plate tectonic model of the Caribbean: Implications from a geochemical reconnaissance of Cuban Mesozoic volcanic rocks Andrew C. Kerr; Andrew C. Kerr 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Manuel A. Iturralde-Vinent; Manuel A. Iturralde-Vinent 2Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Obispo No. 61, Plaza de Armas, La Habana Vieja 10100, Cuba Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew D. Saunders; Andrew D. Saunders 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tanya L. Babbs; Tanya L. Babbs 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John Tarney John Tarney 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Andrew C. Kerr 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Manuel A. Iturralde-Vinent 2Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Obispo No. 61, Plaza de Armas, La Habana Vieja 10100, Cuba Andrew D. Saunders 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Tanya L. Babbs 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom John Tarney 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1999) 111 (11): 1581–1599. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<1581:ANPTMO>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew C. Kerr, Manuel A. Iturralde-Vinent, Andrew D. Saunders, Tanya L. Babbs, John Tarney; A new plate tectonic model of the Caribbean: Implications from a geochemical reconnaissance of Cuban Mesozoic volcanic rocks. GSA Bulletin 1999;; 111 (11): 1581–1599. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<1581:ANPTMO>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Accreted terranes, comprising a wide variety of Jurassic and Cretaceous igneous and sedimentary rocks, are an important and conspicuous feature of Cuban geology. Although the Mesozoic igneous rocks are generally poorly exposed and badly altered, we have collected and geochemically analyzed 25 samples that place new constraints on plate tectonic models of the Caribbean region. From our recognizance sampling, six main lava types have been identified within the Mesozoic igneous rocks of Cuba: rift basalts, oceanic tholeiites, backarc basin lavas, boninites, island arc tholeiites (IAT), and calc-alkaline lavas. We suggest that the rift-related basalts may have formed during the development of the proto-Caribbean, as the Yucatan block rifted away from northern South America in Jurassic–Early Cretaceous time. The Early Cretaceous oceanic tholeiites have flat rare earth element patterns, and are compositionally similar to Pacific mantle plume–derived oceanic plateaus of similar age. The Early Cretaceous arc-related rocks are either backarc basalts, boninites, or relatively trace element–depleted IAT lavas. A limited amount of geochemical and field evidence hints that two parallel arc systems existed in the western proto-Caribbean area in Early Cretaceous time. This leads us to speculate that in the proto-Caribbean at this time there was a western arc with a northeast-dipping subduction zone erupting IAT lavas (with Farallon plate being consumed), and a more eastern boninitic arc with a southwest-dipping subduction zone (with proto-Caribbean plate being consumed). This latter arc was relatively short lived and after being aborted was mostly eroded away. The Cretaceous primitive (IAT) arc survived and, later in Cretaceous time, as this arc system moved into the widening gap between North and South Americas, calc-alkaline lavas began to be erupted. The evidence suggests that the change from IAT to calc-alkaline lavas was gradual and not abrupt. These new data, although limited, provide geochemical constraints on the tectonic development of the northern part of the Caribbean plate. In consequence, we present a new plate tectonic model for this area of the Caribbean. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. 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