Geosciences in the Banda Arc Region: Resources, Hazards and Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Minerals explores the mineralogical, geological, geochemical, geophysical, and environmental dimensions of the Banda Arc system and surrounding regions across Asia. The Banda Arc represents one of the most complex tectonic systems globally, involving arc–continent collisions between the Australian Plate, the Banda Slab, and several microplates. To broaden the scope of research, this Special Issue welcomes contributions that address the entire tectonic realm of the Asian region, including the northern Banda Sea area (e.g., Irian Jaya, Seram, Sulawesi), as well as southeastern and southern zones (e.g., Timor-Leste and Eastern Indonesia).

This dynamic setting hosts a diverse array of ore-forming systems and mineral deposits—hydrothermal, magmatic, and metamorphic—that are deeply interwoven with its tectonic and magmatic evolution. It also encompasses sedimentary basins with the potential for petroleum. However, the region faces severe geological risks such as frequent seismicity, volcanic activity, and landslides, which threaten infrastructure and populations while complicating the sustainable exploitation of resources. Sedimentary archives provide valuable insights into landscape changes and hazard-related processes across the Asian tectonic framework.

Dr. Marina Cabral Pinto
Prof. Dr. Ron Alan Harris
Dr. João Pratas
Dr. Fernando Carlos Lopes
Guest Editors

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