Beyond the Akiyoshi Orogeny: unravelling overturned structures and tectonic processes in the Permian accretionary complex of the Mine-Akiyoshidai Area, Yamaguchi, western Japan

The concept of the Akiyoshi Orogeny emerged from the geological study of the overturned Akiyoshi Limestone. However, our understanding of the stratigraphy and geological structure of the siliceous-clastic rocks surrounding the Akiyoshi Limestone remains incomplete. In this study, we conducted a geological survey within the Beppu unit, distributed on the north of the Akiyoshi Limestone, revealing substantial-scale strata overturning even within the siliceous-clastic rocks, which formed as the upper section of the ocean plate stratigraphy within the accretionary complex. Additionally, the Tsunemori Formation, which is regarded as sediments of forearc or trench-slope basin, has also undergone overturning. Consequently, extensive overturned structures exist throughout the entire accretionary complex of the Mine-Akiyoshidai Area. To understand the mechanism behind these overturned structures within the accretionary complex, we focused on the collision and deformation resulting from the interaction between the accretionary wedge and a massive seamount along with the backstop. The overturning of the forearc or slope basin sediments suggested that post-accretion deformation along the large lateral fault may have occurred during the time of the collision between the South China and North China blocks. These tectonic events during and after accretion may represent the true nature of the Akiyoshi Orogeny. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ophiolites, melanges and blueschists collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/ophiolites-melanges-and-blueschists