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A three-dimensional study of a crustal low velocity region beneath the 9°03′N overlapping spreading center

Bazin, S; Harding, AJ; Kent, GM; Orcutt, JA; Singh, SC; Tong, CH; Pye, J; ... HJA, VA; + view all (2003) A three-dimensional study of a crustal low velocity region beneath the 9°03′N overlapping spreading center. Geophysical Research Letters , 30 (2) , Article 1039. 10.1029/2002GL015137. Green open access

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Abstract

Overlapping spreading centers (OSCs) play a key role in models of magma distribution at fast spreading ridges. To investigate the relationship between ridge-axis discontinuities and magma supply, we conducted a three-dimensional seismic reflection and tomography experiment at the 9°03′N OSC along the East Pacific Rise. Tomographic analysis imaged a broad mid-crustal low velocity zone (LVZ) beneath parts of the overlapper and the associated overlap basin, demonstrating that it is magmatically robust. The complementary datasets reveal a complex storage and tapping of melt: the LVZ and melt sill at either end of the overlap basin are not simply centered beneath the rise crest but are skewed inwards. The subsequent focussing of the LVZ and sill beneath the axis of the eastern limb appears to be due to melt migration toward the tip. The OSC western limb is less magmatically robust and may be in the process of dying.

Type: Article
Title: A three-dimensional study of a crustal low velocity region beneath the 9°03′N overlapping spreading center
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1029/2002GL015137
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2002GL015137
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright 2003 by the American Geophysical Union
Keywords: Marine geophysics, Magma chamber, Mid-ocean ridges
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
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UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > VP: Education > UCL Arena Centre
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/53207
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