Ridge reorientation mechanisms: Macquarie Ridge Complex, Australia-Pacific plate boundary

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2008 Ridge reorientation mechanisms: Macquarie Ridge Complex, Australia-Pacific plate boundary Sharon Mosher; Sharon Mosher 1Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School for Geosciences, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christina Massell Symons Christina Massell Symons 2Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0220, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2008) 36 (2): 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24236A.1 Article history received: 19 Jul 2007 rev-recd: 01 Oct 2007 accepted: 02 Oct 2007 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Sharon Mosher, Christina Massell Symons; Ridge reorientation mechanisms: Macquarie Ridge Complex, Australia-Pacific plate boundary. Geology 2008;; 36 (2): 119–122. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24236A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Macquarie Ridge Complex portion of the Australia-Pacific plate boundary south of New Zealand provides a unique, complete record of a 60°–90° change in spreading direction since 40 Ma that resulted in the transition from a spreading center to a transform plate boundary. Marine geophysical data show that during reorientation, most ridge segments completely disappeared and all shortened. Additionally, modification of newly created crust caused differences in widths of correlative spreading segment corridors on the two plates. We propose two models for ridge reorientation that explain the observed spreading fabric and arcuate fracture zone relationships. Nonrigid plate deformation was accommodated by failing and propagating spreading ridge segments (rifts) and transfer of crust between plates during the gradual reorientation of the spreading axes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.