Arc-continent collision

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Arc-continent collision is a crucial tectonic process in mountain belt formation, continuing today along active plate boundaries like those in the SW Pacific and the Caribbean. This process has significantly contributed to the growth of continental crust over geological time and may also facilitate its recycling into the mantle through subduction. Understanding the geological dynamics during these collisions is vital for comprehending the evolution of collisional orogens and the lifecycle of continental crust. Additionally, regions of arc-continent collision are major sources of the world's primary economic wealth in minerals, making it essential to study the processes involved to model the formation and preservation of this mineral wealth. This book compiles seventeen papers focused on the tectonic processes during arc-continent collisions, organized into four sections. The first section discusses the key components of these collisions: the continental margin, subduction zone, and volcanic arc with its mineral deposits. The second section presents eight case studies of arc-continent collisions, ranging from currently active to Palaeoproterozoic examples. The third section includes two papers on the obduction of large-slab ophiolites and various physical models of arc-continent collision. The final section synthesizes these insights into a comprehensive discussion of the processes involved in arc-continent collision.