RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 55, no.

3, 189198, 2005

Indenter-tectonics in the Philippines: Example from

the Palawan Microcontinental Block
Philippine Mobile Belt Collision

Graciano P. YUMUL, JR.1, Carla B. DIMALANTA and Rodolfo A. TAMAYO, JR.

Tectonics and Geodynamics Group, National Institute of Geological Sciences, College of Science, University of the
Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines [e-mail: rwgmails@yahoo.com]
1 Also with Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development, and Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-
physical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Science and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro
Manila, Philippines
Received on March 31, 2005; accepted on August 2, 2005

Abstract: The aseismic Palawan microcontinental block is an oceanic bathymetric high that has collided with the seismically-ac-
tive Philippine Mobile Belt since the Early Miocene. Consequently, tectonic microblocks immediately north (Luzon) and south
(Western Visayas Block) of the collision front rotated in opposite senses. The rotation led the microblocks to onramp adjacent
strike-slip faults, and converted these to subduction zones, namely, the current Manila and Negros Trenches. In addition, the colli-
sion also initiated the southward propagation of a major left-lateral strike slip fault, the Philippine Fault Zone, and the Philippine
Trench, which bounds the Philippine archipelago along its eastern boundary. Based on onshore and offshore data, the Philippine
Fault Zone and the East Luzon Trough Philippine Trench appears to also propagate northward. Furthermore, the opposite direc-
tion of propagation is also noted for the Manila and Negros Trenches from the locus of the collision in the Central Philippines to
their northern and southern extensions, respectively. The ages of initiation of the Manila Trench (Early Miocene), Philippine
Fault Zone (Middle Miocene) and Philippine Trench (Pliocene) as encountered along a west to east transect in the Central Philip-
pines are consistent with the collision and subsequent indentation of Palawan with the rest of the Philippine Mobile Belt.
Keywords: indenter, oceanic bathymetric high, tectonics, Palawan, Manila Trench, Philippine Trench, Philippine Fault
Zone, Philippines

Scarborough Seamount Chain, the Zamboanga Peninsu-

1. Introduction
The collision of an oceanic bathymetric high (OBH)
with a trench and its subsequent subduction imprint pe-
culiar tectonic features on the converging plates (e.g.,
Dominguez et al., 1998; Robertson, 1998). Some of the
features often cited to be related to OBH indentation are
volcanic arc gap, ophiolite emplacement, crustal accre-
tion/thickening, block rotation, arc polarity reversal, and
marginal basin formation (e.g., Vogt, 1973; McCabe et
al., 1985; Pubellier and Cobbold, 1996; Konstanti-
novskaia, 2001; Meffre and Crawford, 2001; Dimalanta
and Yumul, 2004). Large-scale indentation has also
been invoked to explain some regional deformation fea-
tures. A good example is the collision of India with the
Eurasian plate. This large-scale collision has resulted
into the extrusion of certain parts of Asia, emplacement
of ophiolites, closure of oceanic basins, and possibly the
formation of the South China Sea marginal basin (e.g.,
Tapponnier et al., 1986; Kato, 2003; Aitchison and
Davis, 2004).
The Philippine archipelago has been a locus of OBH
collision and subduction. Examples of these are the
la and the Palawan microcontinental block (PCB) (Fig.
1). The Scarborough Seamount Chain, which represents
an extinct spreading center of the South China Sea mar-
ginal basin, currently subducts along the Manila Trench
beneath Northwestern Luzon (e.g., Pautot and Rangin,
1989). At its zone of ingress below the arc, the buoyant
plateau is causing the trench to curve slightly towards
the east (Bautista et al., 2001). Tectonic and magmatic
manifestations attributed to the collision and indentation
of this extinct spreading ridge with the Luzon block in-
clude the flattening of the subduction angle and the re-
sulting volcanic arc gap in Northern Luzon (e.g., Yang
et al., 1996). In the southern Philippines, the collision of
the Zamboanga Peninsula with the Central Mindanao
arc resulted into the exhumation of mafic-ultramafic
rock suites with associated mlanges along the Siayan-
Sindangan Suture Zone (e.g., Yumul et al., 2004). This
paper focuses on the collision and indentation of the
PCB with the Philippine Mobile Belt (PMB). Although
this major tectonic event has already been recognized in
the Philippines, the full magnitude and some of its tec-
tonic consequences are not yet fully understood and ap-
preciated.

189
190 G. P. YUMUL, JR., C. B. DIMALANTA and R. A. TAMAYO, JR RESOURCE GEOLOGY :

Fig. 1 Oceanic bathymetric highs (OBHs) that include the Scarborough Seamount Chain, Zamboanga Peninsula and the
Palawan microcontinental block can be found around the Philippine archipelago. Aside from OBHs, marginal basins sur-
round the archipelago South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, West Philippine Sea and Molucca Sea. The Philippine
Fault Zone (PFZ), a left-lateral strike-slip fault, traverses the archipelago from north to south. It takes up whatever strain
that cannot be accommodated by the surrounding subduction zones (e.g. Manila Trench, Negros Trench, Sulu Trench, Cota-
bato Trench, East Luzon Trough and Philippine Trench). Present-day compression is being taken up within the vicinity of
the Romblon group of islands. The Siayan-Sindangan Suture Zone (SSSZ) is the northwestern extension of the Siayan-
Daguma-Cotabato Fault (SDCF). Inset shows the different plates surrounding the Philippine Mobile Belt (hachured area).
PSP = Philippine Sea Plate; Sund = Sundaland; IA = Indo-Australia.

Celebes Sea basins; along its eastern boundary the

2. Regional Geology and Tectonic Setting
The Philippine archipelago is surrounded by at least
five marginal basins: along its western boundary from
north to south the South China Sea, Sulu Sea and
West Philippine Sea basin; and, in the southeast the
Molucca Sea basin (Fig. 1). Subduction zones limit the
western and eastern sides of the archipelago and a major
strike-slip fault zone, the Philippine Fault Zone, cuts
along its whole length. On the west, subduction along
vol. 55, no. 3, 2005 Philippine Indenter-tectonics 191

Manila Trench

(a) (b)

Eas
northern segment PFZ
LUZON

t Lu
Central Cordillera Complex

zon
Baguio

Digdig Fault

Tr
Sibuyan Basin

oug
Sea Fault 0 200 km

h
Macolod Palawan Continental Block

Ph
Corridor

ilip
Ophiolite/Mlange

p in
e
Marinduque
Basin Metamorphic rocks
Mindoro Sibuyan Bicol

Ph
Extensional stress regime

central segment PFZ

T

ilip
Ph

B Romblon

pin
ilip

Amnay Shear stress regime

p in

e
Ophiolite BP Panay
eF

Fa
Samar

Tre
ult
Compressional stress regime Legazpi
aul

n
an Cebu

ch
Lineament
law Leyte
t Z

Pa
Ne g ro

one

Negros Bohol Locality

Antique Leyte
Ophiolite Propagation direction
s

T. Northern Sierra

southern segment PFZ

Si
nd Madre Complex
an actual
ga ga MINDANAO pre-rotation

Zon
n n-
h oa Ophiolite
nc mb
Da

Tre Za

e
gu

ulu
ma
-C

S Shear stress regime

ota

Gunyan
ba

Mlange
to

Co
Fa

ta Compressional stress regime

u
lt

ba Mati
to
T. OBH Locality Pujada Ophiolite
OBH

N Propagation direction
Epicenter of
0 400 km July 1990 earthquake

Fig. 2 (a) Several manifestations of the docking of the Palawan microcontinental block indenter onto the Philippine Mobile
Belt include oceanic lithospheres that were exhumed as ophiolite units in western Mindoro and the Romblon group of is-
lands. The curved belt of metamorphic rocks seen in Mindoro, Romblon group of islands and Panay is another feature,
which defines the suture zone. Available data suggest that the indentation of the PCB to the PMB had resulted into the
propagation (open arrow) and younging of tectonic features in the PMB not only southward but northward as well. T =
Tablas, B = Boracay, BP = Buruanga Peninsula. See text for details. (b) Coupled propagation towards the south is ob-
served for the Philippine Trench and Philippine Fault Zone. Recent isotopic datings done on volcanic rocks in the Bicol
Peninsula and Leyte (e.g., Sajona et al., 1997; Ozawa et al., 2004) are consistent with the southward propagation of the
Philippine Trench. Based on onshore and offshore data, the Philippine Fault Zone and East Luzon Trough - Philippine
Trench are speculated to also propagate northward. See text for discussion.

the Early Miocene Manila Trench, Middle Miocene Ne- zon, the present-day East Luzon Trough is a rejuvena-
gros Trench, Late Miocene to Pliocene Sulu and Cota- tion of the proto-East Luzon Trough, which was respon-
bato Trenches dip primarily toward the east. This west- sible for the generation of the Cretaceous to Oligocene
ern boundary marks the subduction of the Early Northern Sierra Madre magmatic rocks (Fig. 2b).
Oligocene to Early Miocene South China Sea (Manila As a whole, the Philippine island-arc system represents
Trench), the Early to Middle Miocene Sulu Sea basin a composite terrane consisting of the aseismic PCB and
(Negros and Sulu Trenches) and the Eocene Celebes the seismically-active PMB (e.g., Gervasio, 1971;
basin (Cotabato Trench) (Figs. 1 and 2a). Along the Tamayo et al., 2001; Ramos et al., 2005) (Fig. 1). The
eastern boundary of the archipelago, the Eocene West continental-derived PCB was rifted from the southern
Philippine Sea basin, through westward subduction, is portion of Mainland China during the opening of the
being consumed along the East Luzon Trough-Philip- South China Sea (e.g., Taylor and Hayes, 1980; Suzuki et
pine Trench (Figs. 1 and 2b). The Molucca Sea basin is al., 2000). The PMB, on the other hand, is characterized
being subducted beneath Halmahera and Sangihe, by the accretion and amalgamation of different terranes
which will ultimately result into its closure. The left- that could have originated from the ancient Philippine
lateral strike-slip Philippine Fault Zone takes up what- Sea Plate and the Indo-Australian margin (e.g., McCabe
ever strain that cannot be accommodated by the sur- et al., 1985; Ali et al., 2001; Pubellier et al., 2003a).
rounding subduction zones (Fig. 1). Northeast of Lu-
192 G. P. YUMUL, JR., C. B. DIMALANTA and R. A. TAMAYO, JR
3. The Palawan Microcontinental Block Philippine
Mobile Belt Collision
The translation of the PMB to its present position start-
ed from the Indo-Australian margin during the Eocene
(e.g., Fuller et al., 1983). Rotating clockwise consistent
with the trajectory of the western margin of the Philippine
Sea Plate, several fragments of the PMB were transported
northwestward with strike-slip faults and subduction
zones possibly acting as translation boundaries (e.g., De-
schamps et al., 2000; Hall, 2002; Pubellier et al., 2003a,
2003b). Along the eastern margin of Eurasia, the PCB
was rifted southward as a result of the opening of the
South China Sea marginal basin. The PCB came into con-
tact with the PMB and subsequently started subduction
beneath the PMB at the Early Miocene (e.g., Bellon and
Yumul, 2000). This collision ended during the Pliocene at
least in Mindoro island with the present-day compression
being taken up along the vicinity of the Romblon group of
islands, specifically in the island of Sibuyan (e.g., Karig,
1983; Yumul et al., 2003) (Fig. 1). Although several
palinspathic reconstructions argue that the Philippines
could have not been in contact with Palawan during the
Early Miocene (e.g., Hall, 2002), this paper revolves on
the premise that the PCB PMB collision had actually
started by Early Miocene.
There are several manifestations of the docking of the
PCB to the PMB. Along western Mindoro, a trapped frag-
ment of the South China Sea was subsequently exhumed
as an ophiolite suite, the Amnay Ophiolitic Complex (e.g.,
Rangin et al., 1985; Stephan et al., 1986; Jumawan et al.,
1998) (Fig. 2a). Immediately to the south, paleomagnetic
data and the present dispositions of the islands in Central
Philippines suggest microblock rotation after the initiation
of the PCB-PMB collision (e.g., McCabe et al., 1982;
1987; Yumul et al., 2000). The whole Western Visayan
block, made up of Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol rotated
clockwise while north of the PCB indenter, the islands of
Luzon, Mindoro and Marinduque rotated counter-clock-
wise (Fig. 2a inset). The collision-related counterclock-
wise rotation of Luzon led to the thrusting of the island
over the South China Sea. This onramping event could
have led to the conversion of a strike-slip fault, which is
believed to have bounded the western side of Luzon, into
a thrust fault. Continued movement resulted into the evo-
lution of the thrust fault into a subduction zone corre-
sponding to the late Early Miocene initiation of the pre-
sent-day Manila Trench (e.g., Bellon and Yumul, 2000;
Yumul et al., 2003). This model is consistent with a) the
reported paleomagnetic data of 20 to 30 counterclock-
wise rotation which occurred during post Oligocene and
pre-Upper Miocene times in Northern Luzon (e.g., Mc-
Cabe et al., 1987); b) the explanation on how the South
RESOURCE GEOLOGY :
China Sea plate could subduct eastward beneath Luzon
when its opening direction was generally north-south; and
c) the geology of Northern Luzon, specifically in the
Baguio District, showing the formation of the batholithic
Central Cordillera plutonic and volcanic complexes dur-
ing the Middle Miocene (e.g., Yumul et al., 1995). The
generation of the Middle Miocene igneous rock complex-
es is attributed to the Early Miocene subduction of the
South China Sea crust along the Manila Trench. The initi-
ation of subduction has been previously attributed to the
collision between the PCB and PMB (Yumul et al.,
2003b).
There are other tectonic features associated with the
PCB-PMB collision. Ophiolites are exposed in Mindoro,
Tablas and Sibuyan, the emplacement of which could be
collision-related (e.g., Tamayo et al., 2004). The meta-
morphic belt that defines the suture zone in the islands of
Mindoro, Romblon Island Group and Panay (Buruanga
Peninsula) exhibits eastward verging cusp (Fig. 2a). A
volcanic arc gap, within the Middle to Late Miocene time
range, is recorded in Central Philippines (Yumul et al.,
2003a). Raised coral reefs along the coasts of Tablas and
Boracay could be collision artifacts similar to what is ob-
served elsewhere (e.g., Mann et al., 1998) (Fig. 3). The
rifting in the Sibuyan Sea, south of Marinduque, which
was reported to expose an ophiolite suite, may also be at-
tributed to the collision (Sarewitz and Lewis, 1991) (Fig.
2a). Collision of an OBH with an overlying plate could
initiate marginal basin opening at the back-arc side of the
indented plate (e.g., Collot et al., 1985). Farther north, in
southwestern Luzon, Pubellier et al. (2000) have implied
that the formation of the Macolod Corridor could have
been induced by the PCB-PMB collision.
4. Field Evidence and Possible Effects of the Collision
The West Philippine Sea basin currently subducts be-
neath the Philippines along the Philippine Trench. Ap-
plying the shear partitioning concept of Fitch (1972),
the westward strain component of the subduction must
be primarily accommodated by the Philippine Trench,
with the excess strain transferred to the left-lateral
Philippine Fault Zone to the west (e.g., Quebral et al.,
1996). Some workers have suggested that the initiation
of the Philippine Trench was a response to the collision
of the PCB with the PMB (e.g., McCabe et al., 1987),
that is, the Philippine Trench originally accommodated
the excess strain resulting from the docking of the OBH
with the Central Philippines. Proposed initiation ages of
the Philippine Trench range from Pliocene (~5 Ma) to
Present (Cardwell et al., 1980; Rangin et al., 1999a,
1999b; Sajona et al., 1997; Aurelio, 2000). Karig (1983)
reported the presence of Miocene volcaniclastic sedi-
ments east of the Philippine Trench offshore of Min-
vol. 55, no. 3, 2005 Philippine Indenter-tectonics 193

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Fig. 3 (a) Bedded red and gray cherts as exposed in the Buruanga Peninsula, Panay island. These cherts are part of the PCB.
(b) Raised coral reefs in Boracay island which are believed to be collision-related. (c) Microfolding of metamorphic rocks
(quartz schist, mica schist), believed to have formed due to the PCB PMB collision, as exposed in Tablas island. (d) Lay-
ered gabbro, which is part of the Sibuyan Ophiolite Complex, as exposed in Calatrava, Tablas island. Emplacement of the
ophiolite is attributed to the collision.

danao. Since these sediments were sourced from Min-
danao, they could have not been deposited in their pre-
sent location if the trench existed during the Miocene.
Results of the Modec cruise conducted offshore of Min-
danao also revealed that the Philippine Trench is propa-
gating southward (Rangin et al., 1996; Lallemand et al.,
1998). Similar to the Philippine Trench, the Philippine
Fault Zone is known to also propagate southward. This
fault cuts Holocene sediments exposed in Mati, Davao
Oriental, evincing its active status (Quebral et al. 1996;
Yumul et al. 2003b). Studies conducted in Central Philip-
pines, specifically in the islands of Masbate and Leyte,
suggest that the Philippine Fault Zone appeared as early
as the Middle Miocene (e.g., Aurelio et al., 1991). This is
consistent with the southward propagation and younging
of the fault zone and indirectly, the Philippine Trench.
Ozawa et al. (2004) have recently done isotopic datings of
volcanic rocks in the Bicol Peninsula. Their results as well
as those of Wolfe (1983) and Sajona et al. (1997) from the
eastern side of Central Southeastern Philippines indicate
a southward progression of volcanism from Bicol through
Leyte to eastern Mindanao consistent with the southward
propagation of the Philippine Trench. In summary, inde-
pendent lines of evidence support the southward progres-
sion of the Philippine Fault Zone and the Philippine
Trench: a) The Middle Miocene to Holocene age of the
fault system, based on the sediments it cuts, from Central
Philippines to Eastern Mindanao; b) Offshore data show-
ing the southward propagation of the Philippine Trench,
and c) The younging of volcanism from the Bicol region
to Eastern Mindanao (Fig. 2b). With the belief that the
PCB PMB collision has initiated the formation of the
Philippine Fault Zone and Philippine Trench, the mecha-
nism maintaining their southward propagation is different.
Our work along the western side of Central South-
western Philippines includes Mindoro, Panay (Antique)
and the Zamboanga Peninsula. The proto-Manila
Trench that separated the PCB and PMB jammed with
the docking of the PCB OBH. The reported age of the
collision, taken here as the start in the contact of the
194 G. P. YUMUL, JR., C. B. DIMALANTA and R. A. TAMAYO, JR
(a)
(b)
PCB and PMB, varies from Oligocene to Late Miocene
(McCabe et al., 1985; Marchadier and Rangin, 1990).
Our data on Mindanao and Luzon indirectly suggest that
the collision occurred during the Early Miocene (e.g.,
Bellon and Yumul, 2000; Yumul et al., 2003b, 2004).
The Zamboanga Peninsula had collided with the Central
Mindanao arc along the Siayan-Sindangan Suture Zone
during the Middle Miocene (Tamayo et al., 2000; Yu-
mul et al., 2004) (Fig. 2a). The Siayan-Sindangan Suture
Zone is the northwestern extension of the Sindangan
Cotabato Daguma Fault (e.g., Pubellier et al., 1991;
Jimenez et al., 2002) (Fig. 1). When the PCB and PMB
converged along the proto-Manila Trench during the
Early Miocene, the northern and southern extensions of
the latter would have been strike-slip faults (Fig. 4).
These faults are believed to have been subsequently
converted into the present-day Manila and Negros
RESOURCE GEOLOGY :
Fig. 4 (a) The eastward younging of the
geologic features, as shown by the open
arrows, from the Early Miocene proto-
Manila Trench through the Middle
Miocene Philippine Fault Zone all the
way to the Pliocene Philippine Trench, is
believed to be related to the collision of
the Palawan microcontinental block
(stippled area) with the Philippine Mo-
bile Belt. Refer to inset for exact loca-
tion. See text for discussion. (b) Cartoon
drawing of how the collision is believed
to have occurred. T1 Collision be-
tween the PCB and the PMB. T2 In-
dentation related to the collision of the
PCB as an oceanic bathymetric high.
Take note that in front of the collision, a
subduction zone was developed. The
north and south extension of the subduc-
tion zone were strike-slip faults. T3
Continuous subduction resulted into the
cusping of the PMB overriding plate.
T4 The counterclockwise rotation of
the northern part of the PMB and the
clockwise rotation of its southern part
(Fig. 2b inset) resulted into the onramp-
ing of the PMB on top of the strike-slip
faults. These faults are believed to have
been converted into trenches (MT
Manila Trench; NT Negros Trench).
T5 Continuous collision resulted into
the formation of strike-slip faults and the
Philippine Trench. T1 to T5 encompass
the period Early Miocene to Pliocene. A
notable weakness of the model is the ob-
served continuous left-lateral strike-slip
characteristic of the present-day Philip-
pine Fault Zone which is not what would
be expected after an OBH collision. It is
opined that the present fault zone repre-
sents inherited structures. See text for
discussion.
Trenches. Subduction along the Negros Trench had
commenced during the Middle Miocene. At that time,
the trench was still part of a paleo-subduction zone that
is presently exposed as the Siayan-Sindangan Suture
Zone (Yumul et al., 2004) (Fig. 2a). The ages and spa-
tial relationships of the aforementioned tectonic features
also suggest a southward progression of the effects of
the PCB-PMB collision along the western side of the
archipelago, from the Manila Trench through the Ne-
gros Trench to the Siayan-Sindangan Suture Zone.
Looking at the northern part of Luzon, focal mecha-
nism solutions show seismic activities along the East
Luzon Trough. With a well-developed accretionary
complex but non-existent associated volcanic arc and a
very short West Philippine Sea subducted slab, the East
Luzon Trough is a rejuvenation of the proto-East Luzon
Trench (e.g., Besana et al., 1997; Hamburger et al.,
vol. 55, no. 3, 2005 Philippine Indenter-tectonics 195

1983). Subduction of the West

Philippine Sea along the present-
day East Luzon Trough recom-
menced during the Pliocene
(e.g., Cardwell et al., 1980). The
transform fault that connects the
Philippine Trench with the East
Luzon Trough is of Pliocene age
(Bautista et al., 2001). There is
no well-defined tectonic bound-
ary that accommodates any
stress coming from the oblique
northwestward translation of the
West Philippine Sea plate along
the eastern part of the region be-
tween Taiwan and Northern Lu-
zon (e.g., Sibuet et al., 2002). Al-
though speculative, the East Lu-
zon Trough can propagate north-
ward to accommodate the con-
tinuous northwestward motion of
the West Philippine Sea plate.
The Gagua Ridge in the north, an
extinct transform fault which
serves as a plate boundary be-
tween the Philippine Sea Plate
and the Cretaceous Huatung
Basin, when connected with the
East Luzon Trough, can define a
distinct plate boundary (e.g., De-
schamps, 2000; Sibuet et al.,
Fig. 5 Present-day setting and ages of the major geologic features of the Philippines.
2002) (Fig. 5). On the other
Although fortuitous and speculative, it is believed that the Palawan microcontinen-
hand, the July 1990 M7.7 earth- tal block Philippine Mobile Belt collision was responsible, at least, for the initia-
quake in Northern Luzon result- tion of most of these geologic features, during the Early Miocene. Stars indicate
ed into the formation of a splay, ages of initiation of these features. 0 age = present-day
the Digdig Fault, in the northern
segment of the Philippine Fault Zone (Fig. 2b). Though al., 1990; Pubellier et al., 2003b). However, as our work
fortuitous, it also indicates northward propagation. The has shown, there is the possibility that the collision of the
same can be said for the northern portion of the Manila PCB with the PMB has occurred during the Early
Trench, which is believed to have formed during the Early Miocene. Such an event could explain geological fea-
Miocene. Subduction along the northern continuation of tures that we have mapped in Northern Luzon, Central
the trench in the Taiwan region commenced during the Philippines and, to a certain extent, Western Mindanao
late Middle Miocene (e.g., Bowin et al., 1978; Stephan et (Fig. 1). Thus, the model to be presented here, as for-
al., 1986; Kao et al., 2000). The Manila Trench appears to warded before, is premised on the condition that the col-
have propagated northward to Taiwan just as the Negros lision occurred during the Early Miocene. North and
Trench has propagated southward to Mindanao. Although south of the collision front in the Central Philippine area,
occurring in different time slices, the three tectonic fea- trenches developed progressively from late Early
tures, Manila Trench, Philippine Fault Zone, East Luzon Miocene to Middle Miocene in Northern Luzon and Tai-
Trough, all appear to be propagating northward. wan, and Negros and Zamboanga Peninsula, respective-
ly. To the east, the central segment of the Philippine
5. The Model Fault Zone appeared around the Middle Miocene in Mas-
bate (e.g., Aurelio et al., 1991). It has propagated to the
Recent reconstructions had shown the Philippines to present in the south (Eastern Mindanao).
be south of Palawan during the Miocene (e.g., Rangin et The reported ages of the Philippine Fault Zone in the
196 G. P. YUMUL, JR., C. B. DIMALANTA and R. A. TAMAYO, JR
Northern Luzon area range from early to late Middle
Miocene (Pinet and Stephan, 1990; Ringenbach et al.,
1990). However, a new splay, the Digdig Fault, has
been generated recently (Fig. 2b). It is possible that the
present-day Philippine Fault Zone is a rejuvenation of
the ancient Philippine Fault Zone which could have
formed as a result of the PCB-PMB collision. Addi-
tional field data has to be generated if the northward
propagation of the Philippine Fault Zone is attributable,
directly or indirectly, to the PCB-PMB collision.
Farther east, the Philippine Trench was initiated during
the Pliocene in the vicinity of Bicol-Samar in Central
Philippines. This feature is propagating southward off-
shore of eastern Mindanao. The transform fault connect-
ing the Philippine Trench with the present-day East Lu-
zon Trough and the young features of the latter suggest a
northward propagation of the Philippine Trench-East Lu-
zon Trough system. It is notable that aside from the
northward and southward progression of the three major
tectonic features of the Philippines, there is also an east-
ward decrease of their ages of initiation along the Central
Philippine transect Early Miocene for the jammed pro-
to-Manila Trench, Middle Miocene for the Philippine
Fault Zone in the Masbate area, and Pliocene for the
Philippine Trench. This is consistent with the collision
event that has transpired between the PCB and PMB.
There are several aspects that need to be emphasized.
The Philippine Fault Zone is believed to have been initi-
ated in the Middle Miocene in Masbate. As presented be-
fore, the initial formation of this fault zone may actually
be related to the collision zone. However, the coupled
propagation southward of the Philippine Fault Zone and
Philippine Trench is clearly due to the excess stress that
is being accommodated by the former. This mode of rela-
tionship is also operative in the north where the move-
ment of the fault zone is related to the East Luzon Trough
Philippine Trench system. The present-day Philippine
Fault Zone could represent rejuvenation of inherited
structures related to the Early Miocene collision.
In summary, the collision of the Palawan microconti-
nental block with the Philippine Mobile Belt had result-
ed into the initiation of most subduction zones currently
bounding the Philippines and a major left-lateral strike-
slip fault zone traversing its length. The younging direc-
tions of these tectonic features are observed to occur
both towards the north and the south.
Acknowledgments: Partial financial and logistic support
coming from the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), DOST-Philippine Council for Industry and En-
ergy Research and Development, University of the Philip-
pines National Institute of Geological Sciences, Mines
and Geosciences Bureau regional offices (Central Office,
Baguio, Leyte, Cebu, Davao, Zamboanga), French Em-
bassy in the Philippines and several mining companies in
RESOURCE GEOLOGY :
northern Luzon and eastern Mindanao are acknowledged
with thanks. This paper is a result of our on-going pro-
gram on Philippine tectonics that aims to understand how
this arc system had evolved. Data and information gener-
ated during our fieldworks in Baguio and other parts of
Northern Luzon, Bicol, Leyte, Samar, Surigao and Davao
Oriental were utilized in this paper. Discussions with oth-
er colleagues, both in the field and laboratory are very
much appreciated. R. Maury had been unselfish in sharing
with us his ideas. Errors in this paper, however, are solely
the authors responsibility. Constructive comments and
reviews by Y. Watanabe, D. Lucas and A. Imai are ac-
knowledged with thanks. This is U. P. NIGS Contribu-
tion No. 2005-10.
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