The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform

Details The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform

Mar 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004geoji.156..655w&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Journal International, Volume 156, Issue 609, pp. 655-681.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

42

Crustal Structure, Dead Sea, Middle East, Shear Zones, Tectonics, Transform Faults

Scientific paper

To address one of the central questions of plate tectonics-How do large transform systems work and what are their typical features?-seismic investigations across the Dead Sea Transform (DST), the boundary between the African and Arabian plates in the Middle East, were conducted for the first time. A major component of these investigations was a combined reflection/refraction survey across the territories of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. The main results of this study are: (1) The seismic basement is offset by 3-5 km under the DST, (2) The DST cuts through the entire crust, broadening in the lower crust, (3) Strong lower crustal reflectors are imaged only on one side of the DST, (4) The seismic velocity sections show a steady increase in the depth of the crust-mantle transition (Moho) from ~26 km at the Mediterranean to ~39 km under the Jordan highlands, with only a small but visible, asymmetric topography of the Moho under the DST. These observations can be linked to the left-lateral movement of 105 km of the two plates in the last 17 Myr, accompanied by strong deformation within a narrow zone cutting through the entire crust. Comparing the DST and the San Andreas Fault (SAF) system, a strong asymmetry in subhorizontal lower crustal reflectors and a deep reaching deformation zone both occur around the DST and the SAF. The fact that such lower crustal reflectors and deep deformation zones are observed in such different transform systems suggests that these structures are possibly fundamental features of large transform plate boundaries.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform 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 The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The crustal structure of the Dead Sea Transform will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1133534