Magma Production Rates for Intraoceanic Arcs

Intraoceanic volcanic arcs have long been recognized as sites where continental crust is created. Yet, despite their importance to understanding magmatic systems and the evolution of our planet, very little is known about their long-term rates of magma production and crust formation. Constraining both crustal construction and destruction processes at intraoceanic arcs allows for improved estimates of magma production. Our revised magma production rates for active intraoceanic arcs are consistent with those calculated for mid-ocean ridge segments that have slow to moderate spreading rates. This is surprising because magma production at intraoceanic arcs has traditionally been assumed to be significantly less than that at mid-ocean ridges.