島弧的目的是為迅速、國際和高標準地出版西太平洋沿岸和亞洲以及世界其他地區日益增長的地球科學研究活動提供一個機會。島弧主要研究現代和古代背景下的海溝、島弧和大陸弧、弧后盆地和碰撞帶等板塊輻合帶的構造、動力學和演化。島弧也涉及一些主題，這些主題可能不是板塊輻合帶所特有的，但卻是理解它們的基礎。島弧的目標是成為一個主要論壇，以高的學術標準和廣泛的國際承認來介紹和討論這些重要的地球科學目標。

The aim of The Island Arc is to provide an opportunity for the prompt, international and high-standard publication of growing earth science research activities in the western Pacific rim and Asia, as well as other parts of the world. The Island Arc focuses on the structure, dynamics and evolution of plate convergence zones including trenches, island and continental arcs, back-arc basins and collision zones in modern and ancient settings. The Island Arc also deals with topics which may not be specific to plate convergence zones but are fundamental to understanding them. The Island Arc aims to be a major forum for the presentation and discussion of these important earth science objectives with high academic standards and broad international recognition.