A magnetic survey of Explorer Seamount— Recent spreading at the Explorer trench

Abstract

In 1981 a magnetic and bathymetric survey was carried out over Explorer Seamount located approximately between 48°50′ and 49°30′N and 130°40′ and 131°30′W. During the cruise four pillow fragments were dredged from peaks in this area. Based on the observed magnetic data, it was identified that the main peak of Explorer Seamount should be of the Bruhnes age while the magnetic high in the NW of study area would be Gauss. This would yield a spreading rate of about 2 cm per year for the Matuyama epoch. The results of intensities of remanence measured from the pillow fragments indicate that the ages are less than 106 years. Similarly the Curie temperature is consistent with ages of around 106 years. An attempt was made to model the observed magnetic field using a series of uniformly magnetized NE-SW trending blocks of alternating polarity. Agreement between the model and observed results is satisfied. Oxidation ratios calculated from measured samples suggest that the main peak of Explorer Seamount is not far from the present day ridge axis, which agrees with the younger interpretation from the magnetic profiles.