Abstract
SUMMARY Gravity data and P-wave teleseismic traveltime residuals from 29 temporary broad-band stations spread over the northern margin of the Gulf of Aden (Dhofar region, Oman) were used to image lithospheric structure. We apply a linear relationship between density and velocity to provide consistent density and velocity models from mid-crust down to about 250 km depth. The accuracy of the resulting models is investigated through a series of synthetic tests. The analysis of our resulting models shows: (1) crustal heterogeneities that match the main geological features at the surface; (2) the gravity edge effect and disparity in anomaly depth locations for layers at 20 and 50 km; (3) two low-velocity anomalies along the continuation of Socotra-Hadbeen and Alula-Fartak fracture zones between 60 and 200 km depth; and (4) evidence for partial melting (3–6 per cent) within these two negative anomalies. We discuss the presence of partial melting in terms of interaction between the Sheba ridge melts and its along-axis segmentation.
Highlights
The break-up of continents and the creation of new ocean basins are processes that have reshaped Earth’s surface since Archean time
Breakup process is poorly understood, in large part because most successfully rifted passive margins formed more than 100 Ma ago, and the thermal response of the lithosphere has long since decayed
Another problem in the geophysical exploration of passive margins is the combination of signals coming from various sources (e.g. Worzel 1968)
Summary
The break-up of continents and the creation of new ocean basins are processes that have reshaped Earth’s surface since Archean time. Breakup process is poorly understood, in large part because most successfully rifted passive margins formed more than 100 Ma ago, and the thermal response of the lithosphere has long since decayed Another problem in the geophysical exploration of passive margins is the combination of signals coming from various sources These include the drastic crustal thinning, the change of crustal nature (oceanic versus continental), the presence of deep sedimentary basins and/or the presence of seaward dipping reflectors (SDRs). In this case, most geophysical methods can hardly associate the right wavelength of the total signal with the corresponding structure The along-strike variability of rift structure and its relation to mantle thermal anomalies remains poorly understood (e.g. Bastow et al 2005; Lizarralde et al 2007)
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