Rheological control on the segmentation of the mid-ocean ridges: Laboratory experiments with extension initially perpendicular to the axis

Sibrant, A.; Davaille, Anne; Mittelstaedt, E. L.

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116706

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…However, we know, for example, from the analog experiments by Oldenburg and Brune (1975) and Sibrant et al. (2021), that continents are not a required condition for ridge offsets. As in the analog experiments, we do see similar features for our oceanic lithosphere‐only models (e.g., Figures 8 and 9), as was shown by Langemeyer et al.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Such a connection was discussed early on for ridge-transform offsets in nature given their counterparts in rifts after continental separation during the Wilson cycle. However, we know, for example, from the analog experiments by Oldenburg and Brune (1975) and Sibrant et al (2021), that continents are not a required condition for ridge offsets. As in the analog experiments, we do see similar features for our oceanic lithosphere-only models (e.g., Figures 8 and 9), as was shown by Langemeyer et al (2021).…”

Section: Continentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Generation of Evolving Plate Boundaries and Toroidal Flow From Visco‐Plastic Damage‐Rheology Mantle Convection and Continents

Becker,

Fuchs

2023

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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Earth's style of planetary heat transport is characterized by plate tectonics which requires rock strength to be reduced plastically in order to break an otherwise stagnant lithospheric lid, and for rocks to have a memory of past deformation to account for strain localization and the hysteresis implied by geological sutures. Here, we explore ∼107 Rayleigh number, visco‐plastic, 3‐D global mantle convection with damage. We show that oceanic lithosphere‐only models generate strong toroidal‐poloidal power ratios and features such as a mix of long‐wavelength tectonic motions and smaller‐scale, back‐arc tectonics driven by downwellings. Undulating divergent plate boundaries can evolve to form overlapping spreading centers and microplates, promoted and perhaps stabilized by the effects of damage with long memory. The inclusion of continental rafts enhances heat flux variability and toroidal flow, including net rotation of the lithosphere, to a level seen in plate reconstructions for the Cenozoic. Both the super‐continental cycle and local rheological descriptions affect heat transport and tectonic deformation across a range of scales, and we showcase both general tectonic dynamics and regionally applied continental breakup scenarios. Our work points toward avenues for renewed analysis of the typical, mean behavior as well as the evolution of fluctuations in geological and model plate boundary evolution scenarios.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Continentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation of Evolving Plate Boundaries and Toroidal Flow From Visco‐Plastic Damage‐Rheology Mantle Convection and Continents

Becker,

Fuchs

2023

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

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“…This provides an important avenue to explore in future models, including the role of different temperature-dependent viscosity laws (Stein & Hansen, 2013;Coltice, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, we know, e.g. from the analog experiments by Oldenburg and Brune (1975) and Sibrant et al (2021), that continents are not a required condition for ridge offsets. As in the analog experiments, we do see similar features for our oceanic lithosphere-only models (e.g.…”

Section: Continentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Generation of evolving plate boundaries and toroidal flow from visco-plastic damage-rheology mantle convection and continents

Becker,

Fuchs

2023

Preprint

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Earth's style of planetary heat transport is characterized by plate tectonics which requires rock strength to be reduced plastically in order to break an otherwise stagnant lithospheric lid, and for rocks to have a memory of past deformation to account for strain localization and the hysteresis implied by geological sutures. Here, we explore $\sim$10$^7$ Rayleigh number, visco-plastic, 3-D global mantle convection with damage. We show that oceanic lithosphere-only models generate strong toroidal-poloidal power ratios and features such as a mix of long-wavelength tectonic motions and smaller-scale, back-arc tectonics driven by subduction. Undulating divergent plate boundaries can evolve to form overlapping spreading centers and microplates, promoted and perhaps stabilized by the effects of damage with long memory. The inclusion of continental rafts enhances heatflux variability and toroidal flow, including net rotation of the lithosphere, to a level seen in plate reconstructions for the Cenozoic. Both the super-continental cycle and local rheological descriptions affect heat transport and tectonic deformation across a range of scales, and we showcase both general tectonic dynamics and regionally applied continental breakup scenarios. Our work points toward avenues for renewed analysis of the typical, mean behavior as well as the evolution of fluctuations in geological and model plate boundary evolution scenarios.

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“…To explain ridge segmentation and propagation patterns, tectonic models suggest tectonic forces as the cause, whereas magmatic models posit mantle melting patterns as the mechanism. Analog models suggest dominance of one mechanism over another may be reflected in overall ridge morphology and may be determined by axial mechanical properties, mantle temperature, and spreading rate (e.g., Sibrant et al., 2018; Sibrant et al., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ridge Propagation and the Stability of Small Mid‐Ocean Ridge Offsets

Harper,

Luttrell,

Sandwell

2023

JGR Solid Earth

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The mid‐ocean ridge system comprises a series of spreading ridges, transform faults, propagating ridges, and other non‐transform offsets. Transform faults remain stable for millions of years leaving long linear scars, or fracture zones, on older seafloor. Propagating ridges migrate in the ridge parallel direction leaving V‐shaped or W‐shaped scars on older seafloor. Vertical gravity gradient (VGG) maps can now resolve the details of the ridge segmentation. For slow‐ and intermediate‐spreading ridges, there appears to be an offset length threshold above which adjacent ridges do not propagate so remain as stable transform faults. We propose this threshold is due to the yield strength of the lithosphere, and we develop a model framework based on a force balance wherein forces driving propagation must exceed the integrated shear strength of the offset zone. We apply this model framework to 5 major propagating ridges, 55 seesaw propagating ridges, and 69 transform faults. The model correctly predicts the migration of 4 out of 5 major propagating ridges and the stability of transform faults, but the results for SSPs are less accurate. Model predictions for direction of ridge propagation are mixed as well. This model framework simplifies deformation in the shear zone, but can possibly explain why non‐transform deformation is preferred at short offsets.

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Rheological control on the segmentation of the mid-ocean ridges: Laboratory experiments with extension initially perpendicular to the axis

Cited by 5 publications

References 71 publications

Generation of Evolving Plate Boundaries and Toroidal Flow From Visco‐Plastic Damage‐Rheology Mantle Convection and Continents

Generation of Evolving Plate Boundaries and Toroidal Flow From Visco‐Plastic Damage‐Rheology Mantle Convection and Continents

Generation of evolving plate boundaries and toroidal flow from visco-plastic damage-rheology mantle convection and continents

Ridge Propagation and the Stability of Small Mid‐Ocean Ridge Offsets

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