Abstract
The western end of the Cayman Ridge is bounded by linear scarps to north and south. Analysis of seismic reflection profiles indicates that this portion of the Ridge is a fault block uplifted some 1500 m above the Yucatan Abyssal Plain to the north and the Bartlett Trough to the south. An asymmetric positive magnetic anomaly of 300 gammas is associated with the southern margin of the Ridge and exhibits a steep gradient to the north. Its source is interpreted as an igneous intrusion within the block, emplaced prior to or during faulting. This intrusion has a steep northern boundary located within the fault block, and may crop out along the southern slope of the Ridge in this region. Topographic evidence for the westward continuation of the Cayman Ridge into British Honduras is lacking. A piston core from the northwestern slope of the Ridge revealed 350 cm of Globigerina ooze overlying partially cemented, fossiliferous volcanic ash. The ooze is of varied age (Oligocene-Recent) and the faunal assemblages are mixed, indicating slumping. The fossiliferous ash is of Early Pleistocene age and may represent a blanket of sediment over the Ridge, rather than an intrinsic portion of the Ridge.
Published Version
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