Temporal and spatial cyclicity of accretion at slow-spreading ridges-evidence from the Reykjanes Ridge

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

7

Crustal Accretion, Crustal Structure, Gravity Anomalies, Mid-Ocean Ridges, Oceanic Crust, Residual Mantle Bouguer Anomaly

Scientific paper

A unifying model of oceanic crustal development at slow spreading rates is presented in which accretion follows a cyclic pattern of magmatic construction and tectonic destruction, controlled by along-axis variation in melt supply and coupled to along-axis variation in spreading rate and across-axis asymmetry in spreading.
This study focuses on the Reykjanes Ridge, Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of Iceland, which is divided along its entire length into numerous axial volcanic ridges (AVR). Five adjacent AVRs have been analysed, located between 57°30'N and 58°30'N and south of any strong Iceland hotspot influence. The seabed morphology of each AVR is investigated using sidescan sonar data to determine relative age and eruptive history. Along-axis gravity profiles for each AVR are modelled relative to a seismically derived crustal reference model, to reveal the underlying crustal thickness and density structure. Correlating these models with seabed features, crustal structure, ridge segment morphology and relative ages, a model of cyclic ridge segmentation is developed in which accretion results in adjacent AVRs with a range of crustal features which, when viewed collectively, reveal that second-order segments on the Reykjanes Ridge have an along-axis length of ~70 km and comprise several adjacent AVRs which, in turn, reflect the pattern of third-order segmentation. Tectono-magmatic accretion is shown to operate on the scale of individual AVRs, as well as on the scale of the second-order segment as a whole.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Temporal and spatial cyclicity of accretion at slow-spreading ridges-evidence from the Reykjanes Ridge does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Temporal and spatial cyclicity of accretion at slow-spreading ridges-evidence from the Reykjanes Ridge, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Temporal and spatial cyclicity of accretion at slow-spreading ridges-evidence from the Reykjanes Ridge will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1625442

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.