Fault structure and detailed evolution of a slow spreading ridge segment: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 29°N

Abstract:Dike emplacement in volcanic rift zones is often associated with the injection of "bladelike" dikes, which propagate long distances parallel to the rift, but frequently remain trapped at depth and erupt only near the tip of the dike. Over geologic time, this style of dike injection implies that a greater percentage of extension is accommodated by magma accretion at depth than near the surface. In this study, we investigate the evolution of faulting, topography, and stress state in volcanic rift zones using a kinematic model for dike injection in an extending 2-D elastic-viscoplastic layer. We show that the intrusion of blade-like dikes focuses deformation at the rift axis, leading to the formation of an axial rift valley. However, flexure associated with the development of the rift topography generates compression at the base of the plate. If the magnitude of these deviatoric compressive stresses exceeds the deviatoric tensile stress associated with far-field extension, further dike injection will be inhibited. In general, this transition from tensile to compressive deviatoric stresses occurs when the rate of accretion in the lower crust is greater than 50-60% of the far-field extension rate. These results indicate that over geologic time-scales the injection of blade-like dikes is a self-limiting process in which dike-generated faulting and topography result in an efficient feedback mechanism that controls the time-averaged distribution of magma accretion within the crust.

show abstract

“…Near the segment center, the rift valley is typically shallow, formed by closely spaced faults with relatively small throw [6,35,44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topographic controls on dike injection in volcanic rift zones

Behn

Buck

Sacks

2006

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Extensive observations of the rift valley floor [e.g., Ballard and Van Andel, 1977;Smith and Cann, 1992;Searle et al, 1998] have yielded valuable information on the emplacement and modification of the extrusive section, but deeper structure can only be inferred from the surface expression of this layer. Multichannel seismics, arguably the best method for directly measuring the internal structure and thickness of the extrusive crust, is severely hampered at slow spreading ridges by the extreme topography of the rift valley environment [e.g., Detrick et al, 1990;Calvert, 1997].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seismic and magnetic constraints on the structure of upper oceanic crust at fast and slow spreading ridges

Hussenoeder¹

1998

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The upper ocean crust contains a comprehensive record of the shallow geological processes active along the world's mid-ocean ridge system. This thesis examines the magnetic and seismic structure of the upper crust at two contrasting ridges-the fast spreading East Pacific Rise (EPR) and the slow spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR)-to build a more complete understanding about the roles of volcanic emplacement, tectonic disruption and hydrothermal alteration in the near-ridge environment.A technique that inverts potential field measurements. directly from an uneven observation track is developed and applied to near-bottom magnetic data from the spreading segments north of the Kane transform on the MAR. It is concluded that the central anomaly magnetization high marks the locus of focused volcanic emplacement. A cyclic faulting model is proposed to explain the oscillatory magnetization pattern associated with discrete blocks of crust being transported out of the rift valley between intensely altered fault zones. Seismic waveform and amplitude analyses of the magma sill along the EPR reveal it to be a thin «100 m) body of partial melt. These characteristics have important implications for melt availability and transport within the cycle of eruption and replenishment. A genetic algorithm-based seismic waveform inversion technique is developed and applied to on-and near-axis multichannel data from 17°20 's on the EPR and the spreading segment south of the Oceanographer transform (MAR) to map and compare for the first time the detailed velocity structure of the upper crust at two different spreading rates. Combined with conventionally processed seismic profiles, our results show that, while final extrusive thickness is comparable at all spreading ridges (300-500 m), the style of thickening may vary. While a thin (:S100 m) extrusive carapace quadruples in thickness within 1-4 km of the EPR crest, the extrusive section at the MAR achieves its final thickness within the inner valley. Both show evidence for a narrow zone of volcanic emplacement. Vigorous hydrothermalism at the EPR may produce a more rapid increase in basement velocities relative to the MAR. Rapid modification of the extrusive/dike transition at both ridges indicates that hydrothermalism is enhanced in this interval. Along-axis transport of lavas may thicken the extrusive pile at slow spreading segment ends, strengthening the magnetic highs generated by lava chemistry. Biographical SketchIn order to wax only partially rhapsodic, let me start at my formative age as a marine geophysicist ... the age of six. The first hint that I wasn't going to grow up to be a successful businessman was dropped in Germany, where my best friend and I rejected the idea of opening a lemonade stand in favor of selling fossils and geodes on the street corner. We soon went bankrupt. Our village in southern Germany was not far from Solnhofen, home of the famed Archaeopteryx. The countryside was full of geological treasures exposed in streambeds or along roadsides. Our final m...

show abstract

“…Deployments of deeply towed seabed imaging ('sidescan') sonars have given us detailed views of mid-ocean ridge terrains that are like aerial photographs, allowing basic geological mapping [36][37][38]. Along with magnetic anomalies recording the varied ages (from past magnetic field polarity) and magnetization structures of the volcanic materials, it is possible to work out an order of geological events [36,39].…”

Section: (A) Mid-ocean Ridgesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspects of marine geoscience: a review and thoughts on potential for observing active processes and progress through collaboration between the ocean sciences

Mitchell

2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Much progress has been made in the UK in characterizing the internal structures of major physiographic features in the oceans and in developing understanding of the geological processes that have created or shaped them. UK researchers have authored articles of high impact in all areas described here. In contrast to terrestrial geoscience, however, there have been few instrumented observations made of active processes by UK scientists. This is an area that could be developed over the next decades in the UK. Research on active processes has the potential ability to engage the wider public: Some active processes present significant geo-hazards to populations and offshore infrastructure that require monitoring and there could be commercial applications of technological developments needed for science. Some of the suggestions could involve studies in shallow coastal waters where ship costs are much reduced, addressing tighter funding constraints over the near term. The possibilities of measuring aspects of volcanic eruptions, flowing lava, turbidity currents and mass movements (landslides) are discussed. A further area of potential development is in greater collaboration between the ocean sciences. For example, it is well known in terrestrial geomorphology that biological agents are important in modulating erosion and the transport of sediments, ultimately affecting the shape of the Earth's surface in various ways. The analogous effect of biology on large-scale geomorphology in the oceans is also known but remains poorly quantified. Physical oceanographic models are becoming increasingly accurate and could be used to study further the patterns of erosion, particle transport and deposition in the oceans. Marine geological and geophysical data could in turn be useful for further verification of such models. Adapting them to conditions of past oceans could address the shorter-period movements, such as due to internal waves and tides, which have been barely addressed in palaeoceanography.

show abstract

Fault structure and detailed evolution of a slow spreading ridge segment: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 29°N

Cited by 56 publications

References 45 publications

Topographic controls on dike injection in volcanic rift zones

Topographic controls on dike injection in volcanic rift zones

Seismic and magnetic constraints on the structure of upper oceanic crust at fast and slow spreading ridges

Aspects of marine geoscience: a review and thoughts on potential for observing active processes and progress through collaboration between the ocean sciences

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About