Tectonics of the East Pacific Rise near 12°50′N: a submersible study

Abstract

Using the diving saucer “Cyana”, a portion of the East Pacific Rise between 12°38′ and 12°54′N has been studied and mapped. Four main zones are defined: (1) an active volcanic zone located in the central graben; the graben displays a variable relief along strike from less than 10 m up to 55 m and has an en-échelon pattern in plan view; (2) an active tectonic zone comprising the central graben and extending up to about 2 km from either side of the rise axis; (3) an inactive tectonic zone starting 2 km away from the axis and formed by discontinuous horst and graben type of structures; and (4) off-axis volcanoes (seamounts) located less than 20 km on either side of the rise axis. At 12°50′N, the active tectonic zone is extremely narrow and the mode of deformation is through fissuring in strong contrast with that observed in slow or intermediate rate ridges. The presence or absence of a magma reservoir at shallow depth explains the difference in the width of the active tectonic zone. The state of isostatic equilibrium or lack of equilibrium explains the different modes of deformation.