Morphological characteristics and relationship with spreading rates in Mid-Ocean ridges

Abstract

Mid-ocean Ridges is where plate spreads, serving as a window to explore the interior earth and its dynamics. This research investigates the morphological characteristics of mid-ocean ridges and their relationship with spreading rates, magma activity, and magma supply. The study reveals that the morphology of mid-ocean ridges is closely related to the stability and adequacy of magma supply. Mid-ocean ridges with rapid spreading exhibit relatively stable and uniform crustal thickness, thus developing axial high and smoother morphology. While those with slow and ultra-slow spreading have a cold thermal structure and thick brittle/plastic layers where fluctuations between segments are obvious and deeper axial valley shapes within segment. Additionally, the slope variation of mid-ocean ridges is associated with fluctuations in magma activity, with regions of higher magma activity often having steeper slopes. The study also finds a positive correlation between slope and axial depth, with faster spreading rates corresponding to greater axial depth.