Fault reactivation in the central Indian Ocean and the rheology of oceanic lithosphere

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

22

Scientific paper

THE intraplate deformation in the central Indian Ocean basin is a well-known example of a deviation from an axiom of plate tectonics: that of rigid plates with deformation concentrated at plate boundaries. Here we present multichannel seismic reflection profiles which show that high-angle reverse faults in the sediments of the central Indian Ocean extend through the crust and possibly into the uppermost mantle. The dip of these faults, which we believe result from the reactivation of pre-existing faults formed at the spreading centre, is ~40° in the basement, which is consistent with the distribution and focal mechanisms of earthquakes on faults now forming at spreading centres. This style of deformation, coupled with the observation of large earthquakes in the mantle lithosphere, indicates that brittle failure of the oceanic lithosphere may nucleate in the vicinity of the brittle/ductile transition and propagate through the crust.

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

Fault reactivation in the central Indian Ocean and the rheology of oceanic lithosphere 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 Fault reactivation in the central Indian Ocean and the rheology of oceanic lithosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fault reactivation in the central Indian Ocean and the rheology of oceanic lithosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1382506

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