Seismic Structure of the Southern East Pacific Rise

Publication Status is "Submitted" Or "In Press: 
LDEO Publication: 
Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
1993
Editor: 
Journal Title: 
Science
Journal Date: 
Jan 22
Place Published: 
Tertiary Title: 
Volume: 
259
Issue: 
5094
Pages: 
499-503
Section / Start page: 
Publisher: 
ISBN Number: 
0036-8075
ISSN Number: 
Edition: 
Short Title: 
Accession Number: 
ISI:A1993KJ07900030
LDEO Publication Number: 
Call Number: 
Abstract: 

Seismic data from the ultrafast-spreading (150 to 162 millimeters per year) southern East Pacific Rise show that the rise axis is underlain by a thin (less than 200 meters thick) extrusive volcanic layer (seismic layer 2A) that thickens rapidly off axis. Also beneath the rise axis is a narrow (less than 1 kilometer wide) melt sill that is in some places less than 1000 meters below the sea floor. The small dimensions of this molten body indicate that magma chamber size does not depend strongly on spreading rate as predicted by many ridge-crest thermal models. However, the shallow depth of this body is consistent with an inverse correlation between magma chamber depth and spreading rate. These observations indicate that the paradigm of ridge crest magma chambers as small, sill-like, mid-crustal bodies is applicable to a wide range of intermediate- and fast-spreading ridges.

Notes: 

Kj079Times Cited:131Cited References Count:27

DOI: