Geodynamic Settings of the Formation of Microcontinents, Submerged Plateaus, and Nonvolcanic Islands within Continental Margins

Abstract

During breakup of the continental lithosphere, partial or complete separation of small continental blocks from the mainland frequently occurs, leading to the formation of microcontinents or partially separated submerged plateaus that advance toward the ocean, as well as to emergent nonvolcanic islands. The article reviews the geodynamic settings in which isolated blocks of continental crust can form. Depending on the thermomechanical conditions of continental rifting, such blocks may be preserved as emergent islands or as submerged blocks of continental crust.