Depth and geoid anomalies over oceanic hotspot swells: a global survey

Physics – Geophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

34

Marine Geology And Geophysics: Heat Flow (Benthic) And Hydrothermal Processes, Marine Geology And Geophysics: Gravity

Scientific paper

The broad depth and geoid anomalies associated with 23 hotspot swells in oceanic areas have been analyzed. Maximum height and geographical extent of the topographic swell, and of the geoid anomaly as well, have been measured for each hotspot. The results indicate a clear increase of the topographic swell height with age of the underlying lithosphere, from values in the range 300-500 m at young ages to values in the range 1500-2000 m at ages larger than 100 Ma. The geoid anomaly amplitude also increases with plate age from nearly zero close to mid-ocean ridges, to 6-8 m over old plates. On the other hand, the geographical extent of the swell does not show any clear relationship with plate age. The mean lateral extent of swells range from 1000 to 1500 km. Swells located close to spreading ridges show a significant nonzezo depth anomaly but are associated with negligeable geoid signal. These results complete those of a previous study where the apparent compensation depth of oceanic hots pot swells was showed to increase linearly with the square root of plate age and coincide roughly with the base of the thermal lithosphere. This trend may either be interpreted in terms of lithospheric thinning or dynamical support. Besides both seem necessary to explain the observed bathymetry, in proportion evolving with aging of the lithosphere.

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

Depth and geoid anomalies over oceanic hotspot swells: a global survey 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 Depth and geoid anomalies over oceanic hotspot swells: a global survey, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Depth and geoid anomalies over oceanic hotspot swells: a global survey will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1405169

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