Geosat‐derived geoid anomalies at medium wavelength

Abstract

Geosat profiles of the Exact Repeat Mission have been averaged over a 1‐year period and high‐pass‐filtered using inverse method techniques. The geoid surface constructed with both ascending and descending profiles shows at medium wavelengths band‐shaped anomalies preferentially elongated in the east‐west direction. These anomalies have an average amplitude of ∼30 cm and dominant wavelengths to 750km and 1100 km. We have performed numerous tests to show that the lineations are not artefacts created by the filtering process. Moreover, two‐dimensional (2‐D) filtering with the inverse method applied on a regional basis over the Pacific gives essentially similar results, indicating that the filtered geoid is not affected by directional bias. Seafloor topography in the Pacific filtered by 2‐D inverse method also shows east‐west trending depth anomalies positively correlated to medium‐wavelength geoid lineations. Along the East Pacific Rise, there is a clear correlation between geoid lineations and regional variations in axial depth. Cross‐spectral analysis carried out on geoid and topography data over the Pacific area gives coherence maxima at 750‐km and 1100‐km wavelengths and admittance values of 2–3 m/km. Observed admittance matches the magnitude and shape of admittance predicted by lithospheric cooling models, suggesting that the lineations are related to regional variations in the plate cooling process. Convection models produce much higher admittances than observed unless a low‐viscosity layer is assumed so that dynamical support cannot be completely discarded. In most instances, however, the position and direction of the lineations seem to be controlled by major fractures zones which is in favor of a lithospheric origin. In the south central Pacific where the lineations appear parallel to absolute plate motion, there may be a combination of both lithospheric and sublithospheric processes.