Ridge-hotspot interactions : what mid-ocean ridges tell us about deep Earth processes

Author Posting. © Oceanography Society, 2007. This article is posted here by permission of Oceanography Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Oceanography 20, 1 (2007): 102-115.Earth is a thermal engine that dissipates its internal heat primarily through convection. The buoyant rise of hot material transports heat to the surface from the deep interior while colder material sinks at subduction zones. Mid-ocean ridges and hotspots are major expressions of heat dissipation at Earth’s surface, as evidenced by their abundant volcanic activity. Ridges and hotspots, however, could differ significantly in their origins. Ridges are linear features that wind more than 60,000 km around the globe, constituting the major diverging boundaries of Earth’s tectonic plates. Hotspots, on the other hand, are localized regions of abnormally robust magmatism and distinctive geochemical anomalies.J.D. acknowledges the support of CNRS-INSU, IPGP, IFREMER and IPEV. J.L. acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Endowed Fund for Innovative Research at WHOI. E.T.B. acknowledges research support from the NOAA VENTS Program and Office of Ocean Exploration

High-resolution magnetic signature of active hydrothermal systems in the back-arc spreading region of the southern Mariana Trough

International audienceHigh-resolution vector magnetic measurements were performed on five hydrothermal vent fields of the back-arc spreading region of the southern Mariana Trough using Shinkai 6500, a deep-sea manned submersible. A new 3-D forward scheme was applied that exploits the surrounding bathymetry and varying altitudes of the submersible to estimate absolute crustal magnetization. The results revealed that magnetic-anomaly-derived absolute magnetizations show a reasonable correlation with natural remanent magnetizations of rock samples collected from the seafloor of the same region. The distribution of magnetic-anomaly-derived absolute magnetization suggests that all five andesite-hosted hydrothermal fields are associated with a lack of magnetization, as is generally observed at basalt-hosted hydrothermal sites. Furthermore, both the Pika and Urashima sites were found to have their own distinct low-magnetization zones, which could not be distinguished in magnetic anomaly data collected at higher altitudes by autonomous underwater vehicle due to their limited extension. The spatial extent of the resulting low magnetization is approximately 10 times wider at off-axis sites than at on-axis sites, possibly reflecting larger accumulations of nonmagnetic sulfides, stockwork zones, and/or alteration zones at the off-axis sites

Structure et evolution de la lithosphere oceanique dans l'ocean Indien: apport des anomalies magnetiques

SIGLEINIST T 77574 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Motion between the Indian, Antarctic and African plates in the early Cenozoic

International audienceWe used a three-plate best-fit algorithm to calculate four sets of Euler rotations for motion between the India (Capricorn), Africa (Somali) and Antarctic plates for 14 time intervals in the early Cenozoic. Each set of rotations had a different combination of data constraints. The first set of rotations used a basic set of magnetic anomaly picks on the Central Indian Ridge (CIR), Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR) and Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) and fracture zone constraints on the CIR and SEIR, but did not incorporate data from the Carlsberg Ridge and did not use fracture zones on the SWIR. The second set added fracture zone constraints from the region of the Bain fracture zone on the SWIR which were dated with synthetic flowlines based on the first data set. The third set of rotations used the basic constraints from the first rotation set and added data from the Carlsberg Ridge. The fourth set of rotations combined both the SWIR fracture zone constraints and the Carlsberg Ridge constraints. Data on the Indian Plate side of the Carlsberg Ridge (Arabian Basin) were rotated to the Capricorn Plate before being included in the constraints. Plate trajectories and spreading rate histories for the CIR and SWIR based on the new rotations document the major early Cenozoic changes in plate motion. On the CIR and SEIR there was a large but gradual slowdown starting around Chron 23o (51.9 Ma) and continuing until Chron 21y (45.3 Ma) followed 2 or 3 Myr later by an abrupt change in spreading azimuth which started around Chron 20o (42.8) Ma and which was completed by Chron 20y (41.5 Ma). No change in spreading rate accompanied the abrupt change in spreading direction. On the SWIR there was a continuous increase in spreading rates between Chrons 23o and 20o and large changes in azimuth around Chrons 24 and 23 and again at Chron 21. Unexpectedly, we found that the two sets of rotations constrained by the Carlsberg Ridge data diverged from the other two sets of rotations prior to anomaly 22o. When compared to rotations for the CIR that are simultaneously constrained by data from all three branches of the Indian Ocean Triple Junction, there is a progressively larger separation of anomalies on the Carlsberg Ridge, with a roughly 25 km misfit for anomaly 23o and increasing to over 100 km for anomaly 26y. These data require that there was previously unrecognized convergence somewhere in the plate circuit linking the Indian, Capricorn and Somali plates prior to Chron 22o. We quantify this motion by summing our new Capricorn–Somalia rotations with previously published rotations for Neogene India–Capricorn motion and for early Cenozoic Somali–India motion based solely on Carlsberg Ridge data. The most likely possibility is that there was motion within the Somalia Plate due to a distinct Seychelles microplate as young as Chron 22o. The sense of the misfit on the Carlsberg Ridge is consistent with roughly 100–150 km of convergence across a boundary passing through the Amirante Trench and extending north to the Carlsberg Ridge axis between anomalies 26y and 22o. Alternatively, there may have been convergence within the Indian Plate, either along the western margin of Indian or east of the CIR in the region of the current Capricorn–Indian diffuse plate boundary. Our work sharpens the dating of the two major Eocene changes in plate motion recognized in the Indian Ocean

Decreasing magnetization, lithospheric flexure and rejuvenated hydrothermalism off the Japan-Kuril subduction zone

Seafloor spreading magnetic anomalies formed at mid‐ocean ridges initially display strong amplitudes that decay within the first 10 million years as a result of pervasive hydrothermal circulation and alteration. The amplitudes do not vary much for older oceanic crust, suggesting that the thickening sediments hinder heat advection. Here we show, however, that a systematic loss of ~20 % in the amplitude of the anomalies arises between the outer rise and the trench on old ocean crust approaching the Japan and Kuril subduction zones. We interpret this decay as reflecting the opening of normal faults and fissures caused by extension on the outer flexural rise, and the subsequent renewed circulation of seawater into the oceanic crust, resulting in additional alteration of the magnetic minerals. This interpretation is supported by higher heat flow and seismic velocity changes observed toward the trench. Plain Language Summary Seafloor spreading magnetic anomalies formed at mid‐ocean ridges initially display strong amplitudes that decrease within the first 10 million years as a result of the widespread circulation of hot seawater within the oceanic crust and the resulting alteration of its magnetic minerals. The amplitudes do not vary much for older oceanic crust, suggesting that the thickening sediments hinder the free exchange of seawater between the crustal aquifer and overlying ocean. Here we show, however, that a systematic loss of ~20 % in the amplitude of the anomalies appear between the outer rise, an elevation caused by the flexure of the plate entering subduction, and the trench on old ocean crust approaching the Japan and Kuril subduction zones. We interpret this decrease as reflecting the opening of faults and cracks caused by extension at the top of the bent oceanic plate and the subsequent renewed circulation of seawater into the oceanic crust, resulting in additional alteration of the magnetic minerals. This interpretation is supported by higher heat flow and seismic velocity changes observed toward the trench

Late Cenozoic unification of East and West Antarctica

The kinematic evolution of the West Antarctic rift system has important consequences for regional and global geodynamics. However, due to the lack of Neogene seafloor spreading at the plate boundary and despite being poorly resolved, East-West Antarctic motion was assumed to have ended abruptly at 26 million years ago. Here we present marine magnetic data collected near the northern edge of the rift system showing that motion between East and West Antarctica lasted until the middle Neogene (similar to 11 million years ago), long after the cessation of the known mid-Cenozoic pulse of motion. We calculate new rotation parameters for the early Neogene that provide the kinematic framework to understand the varied lithospheric settings of the Transantarctic Mountains and the tectono-volcanic activity within the rift. Incorporation of the Antarctic plate motion into the global plate circuit has major implications for the predicted Neogene motion of the Pacific Plate relative to the rest of the plates

Thinning of the Goban Spur continental margin and formation of early oceanic crust: Constraints from forward modelling and inversion of marine magnetic anomalies

The deep seismic reflection profile Western Approaches Margin (WAM) cuts across the Goban Spur continental margin, located southwest of Ireland. This non-volcanic margin is characterized by a few tilted blocks parallel to the margin. A volcanic sill has been emplaced on the westernmost tilted block. The shape of the eastern part of this sill is known from seismic data, but neither seismic nor gravity data allow a precise determination of the extent and shape of the volcanic body at depth. Forward modelling and inversion of magnetic data constrain the shape of this volcanic sill and the location of the ocean-continent transition. The volcanic body thickens towards the ocean, and seems to be in direct contact with the oceanic crust. In the contact zone, the volcanic body and the oceanic magnetic layer display approximately the same thickness. The oceanic magnetic layer is anomalously thick immediately west of the volcanic body, and gradually thins to reach more typical values 40 km further to the west. The volcanic sill would therefore represent the very first formation of oceanic crust, just before or at the continental break-up. The ocean-continent transition is limited to a zone 15 km wide. The continental magnetic layer seems to thin gradually oceanwards, as does the continental crust, but no simple relation is observed between their respective thinnings

What causes low magnetization at basalt-hosted hydrothermal sites? Insights from inactive site Krasnov (MAR 16°38′N)

High-resolution magnetic surveys acquired near the seafloor show that active basalt-hosted hydrothermal sites are associated with zones of lower magnetization. This observation may reflect the thermal demagnetization of a hot hydrothermal zone, the alteration of basalt affected by hydrothermal circulation, and/or the presence of thick, nonmagnetic hydrothermal deposits. In order to discriminate among these inferences, we acquired vector magnetic data 50 m above inactive hydrothermal site Krasnov using the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Victor. This deep hydrothermal site, located 7 km east of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) axis at 16°38′N, is dissected by major normal faults and shows no evidence of recent hydrothermal activity. It is therefore a perfect target for investigating the magnetic signature of an inactive basalt-hosted hydrothermal site. Krasnov exhibits a strong negative magnetic anomaly, which implies that the lower magnetization observed at basalt-hosted hydrothermal sites is not a transient effect associated with hydrothermal activity, but remains after activity ceases. Thermal demagnetization plays only a secondary role, if any, in the observed magnetic low. Forward models suggest that both the nonmagnetic hydrothermal deposits and an altered zone of demagnetized basalt are required to account for the observed magnetic low. The permanence of this magnetic signature makes it a useful tool to explore midocean ridges and detect inactive hydrothermal sites

Dyking at EPR 16°N hypermagmatic ridge segment: Insights from near-seafloor magnetics

Highlights • New inversion method resolves high-resolution magnetic anomaly along uneven routes. • Linear magnetic lows depict multiple shallow dyke swarms. • These dyke swarms confirm the hypermagmatic activity of the segment. Abstract High-resolution, near-seafloor magnetic data have been acquired over the 16°N hypermagmatic segment of the East-Pacific Rise using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. This survey proves to be ideal to test the relative efficiency of various inversion methods applied to data acquired at a more or less constant altitude above the seafloor. Unlike other methods, a recently published Bayesian inversion preserves the short wavelengths and allows for the resolution of a high-resolution reduced-to-the-pole magnetic anomaly. This anomaly unveils the presence of several laterally adjacent dykes associated with individually separated Axial Summit Troughs. The observation of such anomalies, and therefore of shallow dykes, confirms the hypermagmatic character of the segment in a location where complex magma chambers have been imaged in seismic reflection studies. Variable intensity of the magnetic anomalies reflects the depth of the dyke swarms and, ultimately, the timing and style of eruptive events, helping to constrain the spreading axis evolution

Cinématique de l'Est Indonésien depuis le Miocène Moyen

National audienceL’Est Indonésien est situé à l’intersection des trois grandes plaques Eurasie, Pacifique et Indo-Australie. Depuis 1978, pas moins de quinze modèles géodynamiques différents impliquant, à des échelles variées, l’Indonésie orientale, ont été proposés. Cependant aucun ne prend en compte la présence d’une lithosphère océanique entrée en subduction dans la fosse de Séram et plongeant jusqu’à 500 km de profondeur dans le manteau. La plupart de ces modèles ignorent aussi l’âge Néogène Supérieur des bassins rencontrés dans la région de la Mer de Banda.De récentes études géochimiques et géochronologiques ont montré que la Mer de Banda Sud s’était ouverte entre 6 et 3 Ma en arrière de la subduction de la plaque australienne vers le Nord sous l’arc de Banda. Ceci est confirmé par les anomalies magnétiques identifiées dans le bassin. Dans la Mer de Banda Nord, les données magnétiques et géochronologiques s’accordent avec une ouverture du bassin entre 12 et 7 Ma. Enfin le Bassin de Weber à l’Est se serait ouvert au Plio-Quaternaire dans un contexte de collision oblique.En considérant ces nouvelles données, nous proposons un modèle d’évolution géodynamique de l’Indonésie orientale pour les quinze derniers millions d’années. Nous utilisons les anomalies magnétiques reconnues en Mer de Banda pour refermer successivement le Bassin Sud Banda entre 3 et 6 Ma et le Bassin Nord Banda entre 7 et 12 Ma, tout en respectant les mouvements des grandes plaques environnantes. Enfin notre reconstitution intègre l’existence de microcontinents d’origine australienne aujourd’hui dispersés dans la région de Banda. Avant leur séparation au Néogène Supérieur, une partie de ceux-ci étaient rassemblés en un microcontinent unique, le Bloc de Banda