The spacing of rift axis highs: dependence upon diapiric processes in the underlying asthenosphere?

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

Detailed bathymetric mapping has revealed a near-harmonic distribution of intermediate wavelength morphologic highs on slow to fast spreading centers. One model suggests that the highs may result from the thermal instabilities generated by the interaction of cold fracture zone walls with the axial asthenosphere. This may force a deepening of the isotherms near the fracture zone and an uplift of the isotherms midway between the fracture zones. A preferred model based on newly accumulated data suggests that the highs may be a result of upwelling within the asthenosphere underlying the ridge axis where a linear region of instability develops at the base of a partial melting zone. Less dense material at depths of 40-80 km may penetrate the overlying material at discrete and ideally evenly-spaced points. Harmonically-spaced upwellings should generate excess magma at discrete points on the ridge axis creating volcanic highs. The spacing between highs may depend upon the continuity and thickness of the deep axial instability layer, the temperature and viscosity ratios within the magma, and the distance between major transform faults. Instability of the diapirs may stimulate the migration of the highs through time.

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