To discover how magmas move and interact beneath an arc we have examined the temporal and spatial evolution of the largest Izu-Bonin frontal arc volcano Izu-Oshima and the adjacent Izu-Tobu field of backarc volcanoes. Extensive 14C ages and geochemical analysis of subaerial satellite cones as well as other effusives has enabled us to construct a well-constrained ∼14 ka∼14 ka record of Izu-Oshima volcanism. The geochemistry of Izu-Oshima is found to change systematically through the last 14 000 yr. Ba/La, Pb/Ce, 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd and 206Pb/204Pb all decrease between 10 ka and 5 ka before increasing between 5 ka and the present, while La/Yb and Nb/Zr show the reverse. These changes in composition match the addition of Izu-Tobu (backarc) magma to the Izu-Oshima plumbing system with a maximum of a 40% Izu-Tobu at around 5 ka. Progressive but asymptotically declining changes in composition through the 10–5 ka period are found to fit a model where pre-mixed magma is episodically added to, and mixed with, a chamber beneath Izu-Oshima. The 5–0 ka period reverses this trend, but is again progressive and declining, suggesting a switch to a progressive influx of pure Izu-Oshima frontal arc magma. Combining flux and eruption volume estimates with the observed geochemical mixing rates indicates that the accessible melt volume of the Izu-Oshima magma system is ∼16 km3∼16 km3. Interaction and pre-mixing between the fluid-dominated frontal arc melt and the sediment-bearing backarc magmas must occur at deeper levels within the arc crust. This deep reservoir receives a continuous feed from the frontal arc mantle, but may periodically intercept rising magmas from the backarc source to produce episodes of magma mixing on timescales of ∼5000 yr∼5000 yr. This study demonstrates that interaction between frontal arc and backarc magma needs to be considered to achieve better understanding of material transfers and elemental budgets at subduction zones.