Geological architecture and history of the Antigua volcano and carbonate platform: Was there an Oligo?Miocene lull in Lesser Antilles arc magmatism?

Since the acceptance of plate tectonics, presence calc-alkaline magmatic rocks has been recognized as evidence subduction. But under specific geodynamic circumstances, subduction may occur without generating magmas. Here, we investigate Cenozoic northern Lesser Antilles arc where, from sparsely exposed records, Eocene?Oligocene and Pliocene flare-ups a Miocene lull were postulated. Nevertheless, most is submarine, so it challenging to discern lulls sampling bias. We review onshore in detail island Antigua, which exposes an Eocene volcanic sequence platform carbonate series that coincide with postulated lull. By combining lithostratigraphic analysis, structural mapping, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, biostratigraphy, refine history date arrest extensive magmatism at 35 Ma, minor activity until 27 Ma. No products are interleaved latest Oligocene, confirms have lasted ca. 20 Flare-up contributed crustal thickening land emersion, whereas related thermal cooling induced subsidence/submersion. Thus, propose paleo-(bio)-geographical evolution eastern Caribbean region partly controlled by activity. Fault kinematic along anisotropy magnetic susceptibility, suggest that, scale, not associated change stress field during Oligocene. speculate slab flattening triggered progressive curvature played role temporal shutdown arc.