Morphotectonic Analysis of the East Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Backarc basin systems are important sites of extension leading to crustal rupture where development typically occurs in rifting phases (or stages) with the final successful stages identified by formation spreading ridges and new oceanic crust. The East Manus Basin is a young (<1 Ma), active, rapidly backarc complex tectonic setting at confluence oblique convergence Australian Pacific plates. Here we undertake first comprehensive spatial-temporal morphotectonic description interpretation including link timing of, controls on, seafloor massive sulfide mineralization. Key datasets used analysis include multi-resolution multibeam echosounder data derivatives. Morphotectonic these defines three evolutionary for Basin. Each phase distinguished variation characteristics, volcano morphology structural features: Phase 1 period incipient existing arc crust intermediate silicic volcanism; 2 evolves effusive, flat top volcanoes fissures; 3 nascent organized half-graben system axial volcanism spreading. analysis, combined available age constraints, shows that can occur (within ?1 Myr) basins but different rift become abandoned preserved on as locus magmatism migrates focus ultimate zone(s) rupture. Consequently, occurrence significant Cu-rich mineralization be constrained transition from within Mineralizing hydrothermal have utilized interconnected zones developed during phases. This research improves our understanding early evolution modern systems, association between deposits, provides key relationships help interpret paleo/fossilized found fold belts accreted terrains around world.