Do ridge–ridge–fault triple junctions exist on Earth? Evidence from the Aden–Owen–Carlsberg junction in the NW Indian Ocean

Fournier, Marc; Petit, Carole; Chamot‐Rooke, Nicolas; Fabbri, Olivier; Huchon, Philippe; Maillot, Bertrand; Lepvrier, Claude

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2117.2008.00356.x

Cited by 25 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…The estimated b-values lead us to speculate that the clusters with very low b-values like "B, C, E, G, H, I and J" in the transform and ridge segments are probably vulnerable to produce moderate size seismicity in future. narrow zone of volcanic activity, which delineates a volcanic ridge, marks the volcanic nature of this axis of spreading which is relatively straight, shallow and continuous, with depths between 3000 and 3800 m (Fournier et al 2008). Though similar exercise is necessary for all the swarm sequences registered in Table 1, but due to paucity of earthquake data in those swarms it is not possible to construct the r-t plots.…”

Section: B-value In the Clustersmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Focal mechanisms given earlier suggest right-lateral slip along the active segment of the OFZ (also refer Quittmeyer and Kafka, 1984;Gordon and DeMets, 1989). The OFZ represents a plate boundary that moves 3 -4 mm/year (Reilinger et al 2006) implying that Arabia is currently moving northward more rapidly than India with respect to Eurasia (Fournier et al 2008). This differential motion on either side of OFZ causes the strain accumulation in its active segments and promotes the clustering of earthquakes.…”

Section: Owen Fracture Zonementioning

confidence: 96%

“…Kinematically, the RRF triple junctions are unstable and evolve into RFF triple junction. The RFF type triple junction is absent here because one of the transform faults has evolved into a ridge system (Fournier et al 2008). This can be viewed from a plot of the earthquake and CMT data, active structures, corresponding bathymetric and Free-air gravity anomalies (Fig.6).…”

Section: On the Evolutionary Characteristics Of Astjmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The stability of the triple junction depends mostly on the evolutionary behaviour of the plate boundaries in a local as well as in a regional scale depending on plate motion (Fournier et al 2008). Though Ridge-Ridge-Ridge (RRR) triple junctions are most common in the earth, the RidgeRidge-Fault (RRF) triple junction where one transform fault meets two spreading ridges though rare but present in three occasions: the Azores triple junction in Atlantic Ocean, the Juan -Fernandez triple junction in Pacific Ocean and the presently studied area of Aden -Owen -Carlsberg triple junction in the Indian Ocean (Searle, 1980;Larson et al 1992;Gordon and DeMets, 1989).…”

Section: On the Evolutionary Characteristics Of Astjmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Mukhopadhyay

Dasgupta

2011

J Geol Soc India

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The plate margin features defining the Arabian Sea Triple Junction (ASTJ) are: the Aden Ridge (AR), Sheba Ridge (SR) with their intervening Alula-Fartak Transform (AFT), Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and Owen Fracture Zone (OFZ). Exact nature of ASTJ is presently debated: whether it is RRF (ridge-ridge-fault) or RRR (ridge-ridge-ridge) type. A revised seismicity map for ASTJ is given here using data for a period little more than a century. "Point density spatial statistical criterion" is applied to short-listed 742 earthquakes (mb ≥ 4.3), 10 numbers of spatio-temporal seismic clusters are identified for ASTJ and its arms. Relocated hypocentres help better constraining the cluster identification wherever such data exist. Seismic clusters actually diagnose the most intense zones of strain accumulation due to far field as well as the local stress operating at ASTJ. An earthquake swarm emanating from a prominent seismic cluster below SR provides an opportunity to investigate the pore pressure diffusion process (due to the active source) by means of "r-t plot". Stress and faulting pattern in the active zones are deduced from 43 CMT solutions. While normal or lateral faulting is characteristic for these arms, an anomalous thrust earthquake occurs in the triangular 'Wheatley Deep' deformation zone proximal to ASTJ. The latter appears to have formed due to a shift of the deformational front from OFZ towards a transform that offsets SR. Though ASTJ is still in the process of evolution, available data favour that this RRF triple junction may eventually be converted to a more stable RRR type.

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Section: B-value In the Clustersmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Owen Fracture Zonementioning

confidence: 96%

Section: On the Evolutionary Characteristics Of Astjmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: On the Evolutionary Characteristics Of Astjmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Mukhopadhyay

Dasgupta

2011

J Geol Soc India

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“…In demonstrating that Aden-Owen-Carlsberg is in fact a transient on the way to a RRR configuration they conclude that no RRF junctions currently exist, again illustrating the power of combining bathymetry with other data sets. So, alongside the body of work on plate reconstruction from magnetic anomalies, Fournier et al [2008] show that bathymetry can help us to understand the detailed organisation of plate boundaries and provides hints of the underlying dynamics.…”

Section: Mid-ocean Tectonicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Editorial Submarine geomorphology: new views on an ‘unseen’ landscape

2008

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Geomorphology, one of the oldest disciplines in the geosciences, is undergoing a rebirth in the submarine environment. 2D (i.e. gridded) high-resolution bathymetry data offers exciting views of ever more of this hidden landscape, allowing a much improved understanding of both the solid Earth and Earth surface processes that shape the seabed. Such geomorphology is particularly powerful when convolved with geophysical techniques that image the sub-seafloor to form 3D studies.This journal issue promotes a vision where submarine geomorphology i) unites processes typically studied in sub-aerial geomorphology (e.g. landsliding & channel erosion) and marine geophysics (e.g. volcanism, tectonics & geodynamics) ii) strives to progress beyond purely qualitative methods and to employ quantitative approaches in analyses and iii) integrates bathymetry with other surface or subsurface data to enhance the analysis. The aim in bringing together work on the various causes and consequences of the underwater landscape is to endorse interaction and knowledge transfer between disciplines and study areas.This editorial highlights the links between submarine geomorphology, geophysics, Earth surface processes and bathymetry. Questions from the issue reviewed here include: How does the Earth melt? How does seafloor morphology affect the size of subduction earthquakes? What is the interconnection between submarine mass-wasting and tectonic environment? Submarine Geomorphology & Geophysics, a Historical PerspectivePractically, it is not possible for humans to directly observe the vast majority of the seafloor. This is in direct contrast to the sub-aerial landscape. Contrast, for example, a pilot looking down from an aircraft and a sailor looking over the side of his craft. Even in the best conditions seawater is opaque to visible light beyond a few hundred metres penetration. Because it cannot be viewed, or indeed easily walked around upon, the seafloor can be thought of as an 'unseen' landscape that is in some ways less accessible to us than the surface of Mars. Electronic geophysical equipment is necessary to measure the deep ocean at any level beyond the most cursory and crude. Developments in submarine geomorphology have therefore been intrinsically linked to developments in geophysics. This is simply not true for sub-aerial geomorphology where less sophisticated equipment (e.g. a plane table) can produce accurate data, and this contrast probably explains the differential and disparate development of geomorphology on land and underwater.Long before geophysics, however, water depth was critical information for the purposes of navigation, so 'soundings' have been taken, firstly using a long pole. From the 1870s hemp rope with a lead weight attached was used by HMS Challenger and USS Tuscarora, continued with the United States Fish Commission steamer Albatross from 1888 until the early 20 th century when a wire cable method began to be used. Soundings taken by these methods were neither quick nor cheap to obtain, so only a few th...

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Tectonic interactions between India and Arabia since the Jurassic reconstructed from marine geophysics, ophiolite geology, and seismic tomography

2015

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Gondwana breakup since the Jurassic and the northward motion of India toward Eurasia were associated with formation of ocean basins and ophiolite obduction between and onto the Indian and Arabian margins. Here we reconcile marine geophysical data from preserved oceanic basins with the age and location of ophiolites in NW India and SE Arabia and seismic tomography of the mantle below the NW Indian Ocean. The North Somali and proto-Owen basins formed due to 160-133 Ma N-S extension between India and Somalia. Subsequent convergence destroyed part of this crust, simultaneous with the uplift of the Masirah ophiolites. Most of the preserved crust in the Owen Basin may have formed between 84 and 74 Ma, whereas the Mascarene and the Amirante basins accommodated motion between India and Madagascar/East Africa between 85 and circa 60 Ma and 75 and circa 66 Ma, respectively. Between circa 84 and 45 Ma, oblique Arabia-India convergence culminated in ophiolite obduction onto SE Arabia and NW India and formed the Carlsberg slab in the lower mantle below the NW Indian Ocean. The NNE-SSW oriented slab may explain the anomalous bathymetry in the NW Indian Ocean and may be considered a paleolongitudinal constraint for absolute plate motion. NW India-Asia collision occurred at circa 20 Ma deforming the Sulaiman ranges or at 30 Ma if the Hindu Kush slab north of the Afghan block reflects intra-Asian subduction. Our study highlights that the NW India ophiolites have no relationship with India-Asia motion or collision but result from relative India-Africa/Arabia motions instead.

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Do ridge–ridge–fault triple junctions exist on Earth? Evidence from the Aden–Owen–Carlsberg junction in the NW Indian Ocean

Cited by 25 publications

References 103 publications

Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Editorial Submarine geomorphology: new views on an ‘unseen’ landscape

Tectonic interactions between India and Arabia since the Jurassic reconstructed from marine geophysics, ophiolite geology, and seismic tomography

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Do ridge–ridge–fault triple junctions exist on Earth? Evidence from the Aden–Owen–Carlsberg junction in the NW Indian Ocean

Cited by 25 publications

References 103 publications

Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Seismic clusters and their characteristics at the Arabian Sea Triple Junction: Supportive evidences for plate margin deformations

Editorial Submarine geomorphology: new views on an ‘unseen’ landscape

Tectonic interactions between India and Arabia since the Jurassic reconstructed from marine geophysics, ophiolite geology, and seismic tomography

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Editorial Submarine geomorphology: new views on an ‘unseen’ landscape