Forearc ages reveal extensive short-lived and rapid seafloor spreading following subduction initiation

The Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) forearc contains a record of a widespread and short-lived subduction initiation event in the early Eocene. We present new high-precision ages to determine the rates and length scales of ocean crust production following subduction initiation along the IBM convergent margin. We also explore the implications of these ages for potential causes of subduction initiation and its far-field effects. Zircons extracted from...