Heat-flow and hydrothermal circulation at the ocean-continent transition of the eastern gulf of Aden

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

1

Scientific paper

In order to investigate the importance of fluid circulation associated with the formation of ocean-continent transitions (OCT), we examine 162 new heat-flow (HF) measurements in the eastern Gulf of Aden, obtained at close locations along eight seismic profiles and with multi-beam bathymetry. The average HF values in the OCT and in the oceanic domain (~ 18 m.y.) are very close to the predictions of cooling models, showing that the overall importance of fluids remains small at the present time compared to oceanic ridge flanks of the same age. However, local HF anomalies are observed, although not systematically, in the vicinity of the unsedimented basement and are interpreted by the thermal effect of meteoric fluids flowing laterally. We propose a possible interpretation of hydrothermal paths based on the shape of HF anomalies and on the surface morphology: fluids can circulate either along-dip or along-strike, but are apparently focussed in narrow “pipes”. In several locations in the OCT, there is no detectable HF anomaly while the seismic velocity structure suggests serpentinization and therefore past circulation. We relate the existence of the present day fluid circulation in the eastern Gulf of Aden to the presence of unsedimented basement and to the local extensional stress in the vicinity of the Socotra-Hadbeen fault zone. At the scale of rifted-margins, fluid circulation is probably not as important as in the oceanic domain because it can be inhibited rapidly with high sedimentation rates, serpentinization and stress release after the break-up.

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

Heat-flow and hydrothermal circulation at the ocean-continent transition of the eastern gulf of Aden 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 Heat-flow and hydrothermal circulation at the ocean-continent transition of the eastern gulf of Aden, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Heat-flow and hydrothermal circulation at the ocean-continent transition of the eastern gulf of Aden will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-956407

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