Abstract
Results obtained from compilation and reinterpretation of about 21,200 line km of bathymetry, magnetic and satellite gravity data between 10°S to 10°N latitudes and 75 to 90°E longitudes south off Sri Lanka are presented here. Magnetic data and the synthetic seafloor spreading model reveal the presence of Mesozoic anomaly sequence M11 through M0 south of Sri Lanka. The oldest magnetic anomaly M11 (134 Ma) occurs between 110 and 140 km away from the Sri Lankan coast. The seafloor created during the Early Cretaceous is estimated to have evolved with variable half-spreading rates ranging from 5.5 to 1.53 cm/yr. The trends of the fracture zones inferred from the offsets in the magnetic anomalies have been constrained using the satellite gravity mosaic. The Cretaceous Magnetic Quiet Zone (CMQZ, 121–84 Ma) crust between the isochrons M0 and A34 has an unequal width and widens from about 170 km in the west (80°E longitude) to about 500 km towards east (85°E longitude). Plate reconstruction models for 160 (Fit), 134 (M11), 121 (M0) and 84 Ma (A34) are generated under the constraints of newly identified magnetic anomaly isochrons and fracture zones. The mismatch in the A34 reconstruction is attributed to the emplacement of the Ob, Lena and Marion Dufresne seamounts at the spreading ridge axis and/or the frequent ridge jumps in the Middle Cretaceous during the major plate reorganization.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
