Back-arc spreading of the northern Izu–Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands arc clarified by GPS data

We examined GPS data in the northwestern Pacific region, which includes the Izu–Ogasawara (Bonin)–Mariana (IBM) arc and the Japan arc. GPS velocity vectors on the Izu Islands, including Hachijo-jima and Aoga-shima, show systematic eastward movement deviating from that predicted by the rigid rotation of the Philippine Sea plate; this deviation supports the active back-arc spreading model suggested by previous geological studies. The results of a statistical F-test analysis with 99% confidence level showed that the forearc of the Izu Islands arc has an independent motion with respect to the rigid part of the Philippine Sea plate. We developed a kinematic block–fault model to estimate both rigid rotations of crustal blocks and elastic deformation due to locked faults on the block boundaries. The model suggests that the back-arc opening rate along the Izu back-arc rift zone ranges from 2 mm/yr at its southern end to 9 mm/yr near Miyake-jima, its northern end. It also predicts 23–28 mm/yr of relative motion along the Sagami Trough in the direction of ~ N25°W, where the Izu forearc subducts beneath central Japan. The orientation of this motion is supported by slip vectors of recent medium-size earthquakes, repeated slow-slip events, and the 1923 M = 7.9 Kanto earthquake.

► We examine GPS data in the Izu–Ogasawara–Mariana arc and the Japan arc.
► The Izu Islands arc has an independent motion on the Philippine Sea plate.
► The rate of the Izu back-arc opening increases from 2 to 9 mm/yr toward north.