Magma-poor Rifted Margins Research Articles

Rift evolution in regions of low magma input in East Africa

Magmatism is often invoked as critical for assisting strain focusing during continental rift development, and in driving lithospheric thinning and continental rupture. Accordingly, models of rift basin evolution in the East African Rift System (EARS) have previously focused on magma-rich basins; however, a complete understanding of how magmatism drives rift evolution requires analyses of both magma-rich and magma-poor extensional environments. We investigate a ∼10-million-year history of fault development in the magma-poor Lake Tanganyika Rift of the Western branch of the EARS, utilizing reprocessed legacy and high-resolution commercial seismic reflection datasets. Unlike the magma-rich Eastern branch, fault-strain does not focus into the basin floor along the rift axis within the first ∼10 million years of rift development. Instead, large rift-bounding faults (border faults) accommodate the majority of extensional strain (∼90% of an estimated 11.5 km of extension over the 52 km-wide rift) from rift inception through to present-day rifting. The Western branch of the EARS is also characterized by crustal structure and fault geometries that differ from those observed for successfully rifted magma-poor margins (e.g., listric normal faulting with mid-crustal detachments). In the absence of voluminous magmatism, we suggest that either (1) complete continental rupture cannot be achieved in the Western branch of the EARS, or (2) continental break up in the Western branch will proceed under a model that contrasts with that invoked for both the Eastern branch and magma-poor rifted margins generally.

Breaking up continents at magma-poor rifted margins: a seismic v. outcrop perspective

The break-up of continents at magma-poor rifted margins is a complex yet little understood process accounting for intricate interactions between tectonic and magmatic processes. Whereas high-resolution seismic data may resolve the first-order architecture of ocean–continent transitions (OCTs), direct access to rocks remains limited to deep-sea drilling. In this study, we combine seismic observations from the East Antarctica margin (Geoscience Australia Survey 228) with field observations from the Bracco–Levanto area (Northern Apennines, Italy), representing modern and fossil examples of ultra-distal magma-poor rifted margins respectively. The combination of detailed structural mapping and petrological studies from fossil examples with architectural features observed in seismic sections from present-day OCTs enables to bridge the different observation scales. Field evidence indicates that the magmatic budget is not zero, as magma is present throughout the exhumation process. Extensional detachment faults that exhumed serpentinized mantle and deep-seated gabbro intrusions are truncated by later high-angle normal faults, which most probably acted as feeders for the emplacement of massive syn-extensional basalts. These observations suggest a polyphase tectonic and magmatic evolution of the ultra-distal margin prior to the formation of the first true oceanic crust, which can be studied in detail only by combining seismic and outcrop observations.

Reappraisal of the magma-rich versus magma-poor rifted margin archetypes

Abstract Rifted margins are commonly defined as magma-poor or magma-rich archetypes based on their morphology. We re-examine the prevailing model inferred from this classification that magma-rich margins have excess decompression melting at lithospheric breakup compared with steady-state seafloor spreading, while magma-poor margins have inhibited melting. We investigate the magmatic budget related to lithospheric breakup along two high-resolution long-offset deep reflection seismic profiles across the SE Indian (magma-poor) and Uruguayan (magma-rich) rifted margins. Resolving the magmatic budget is difficult and several interpretations can explain our seismic observations, implying different mechanisms to achieve lithospheric breakup and melt production for each archetype. We show that the Uruguayan and other magma-rich margins may indeed involve excess decompression melting compared with steady-state seafloor spreading but could also be explained by a gradual increase with an early onset relative to crustal breakup. A late onset of decompression melting relative to crustal breakup enables mantle exhumation characteristic of magma-poor margin archetypes (e.g. SE India). Despite different volumes of magmatism, the mechanisms suggested at lithospheric breakup are comparable between both archetypes. Considerations on the timing of decompression melting onset relative to crustal thinning may be more important than the magmatic budget to understand the evolution and variability of rifted margins.

The structure and evolution of deepwater basins in the distal margin of the northern South China Sea and their implications for the formation of the continental margin

Abstract Although it is generally accepted that the South China Sea margin can be classified as a magma-poor rifted margin, little is known about the structural style of the distal margin and how the distal deep basins evolved. Observations and data from the Northern South China Sea margin suggest that the deepwater basins (distal margin domain) are commonly underlain by a highly extended continental crust, and detachment fault systems have been interpreted in places. We have interpreted a large seismic data set covering deepwater basins in the Northern South China Sea. The interpreted Moho on reflection seismic profiles indicates that the crustal thickness varies along sections perpendicular to the coast, which is the first-order criterion to divide the whole margin into a proximal domain, necking zone and distal domain. Furthermore, the underlying extremely stretched crust (

Deep structure of the continental margin and basin off Greater Kabylia, Algeria – New insights from wide-angle seismic data modeling and multichannel seismic interpretation

During the Algerian-French SPIRAL survey aimed at investigating the deep structure of the Algerian margin and basin, two coincident wide-angle and reflection seismic profiles were acquired in central Algeria, offshore Greater Kabylia, together with gravimetric, bathymetric and magnetic data. This ~260 km-long offshore-onshore profile spans the Balearic basin, the central Algerian margin and the Greater Kabylia block up to the southward limit of the internal zones onshore. Results are obtained from modeling and interpretation of the combined data sets.The Algerian basin offshore Greater Kabylia is floored by a thin oceanic crust (~4 km) with P-wave velocities ranging between 5.2 and 6.8 km/s. In the northern Hannibal High region, the atypical 3-layer crustal structure is interpreted as volcanic products stacked over a thin crust similar to that bordering the margin and related to Miocene post-accretion volcanism. These results support a two-step back-arc opening of the west-Algerian basin, comprising oceanic crust accretion during the first southward stage, and a magmatic and probably tectonic reworking of this young oceanic basement during the second, westward, opening phase. The structure of the central Algerian margin is that of a narrow (~70 km), magma-poor rifted margin, with a wider zone of distal thinned continental crust than on the other margin segments. There is no evidence for mantle exhumation in the sharp ocean-continent transition, but transcurrent movements during the second opening phase may have changed its initial geometry. The Plio-Quaternary inversion of the margin related to ongoing convergence between Africa and Eurasia is expressed by a blind thrust system under the margin rising toward the surface at the slope toe, and by an isostatic disequilibrium resulting from opposite flexures of two plates decoupled at the continental slope. This disequilibrium is likely responsible for the peculiar asymmetrical shape of the crustal neck that may thus be a characteristic feature of inverted rifted margins.

Lower plate serpentinite diapirism in the Calabrian Arc subduction complex

Mantle-derived serpentinites have been detected at magma-poor rifted margins and above subduction zones, where they are usually produced by fluids released from the slab to the mantle wedge. Here we show evidence of a new class of serpentinite diapirs within the external subduction system of the Calabrian Arc, derived directly from the lower plate. Mantle serpentinites rise through lithospheric faults caused by incipient rifting and the collapse of the accretionary wedge. Mantle-derived diapirism is not linked directly to subduction processes. The serpentinites, formed probably during Mesozoic Tethyan rifting, were carried below the subduction system by plate convergence; lithospheric faults driving margin segmentation act as windows through which inherited serpentinites rise to the sub-seafloor. The discovery of deep-seated seismogenic features coupled with inherited lower plate serpentinite diapirs, provides constraints on mechanisms exposing altered products of mantle peridotite at the seafloor long time after their formation.

Addendum: Influence of the architecture of magma-poor hyperextended rifted margins on orogens produced by the closure of narrow versus wide oceans

Addendum: Influence of the architecture of magma-poor hyperextended rifted margins on orogens produced by the closure of narrow versus wide oceans

Oceanic basement roughness alongside magma-poor rifted margins: insight into initial seafloor spreading

Oceanic basement roughness alongside magma-poor rifted margins: insight into initial seafloor spreading

The shallow depth emplacement of mafic intrusions on a magma-poor rifted margin: An example from the Bight Basin, southern Australia

Three-dimensional (3D) seismic data has provided important insights into how magma is transported and stored in sedimentary basins. Much of our understanding is based on volcanic-rifted margins. In contrast, the magma plumbing systems of magma-poor rifted margins are less well studied. This study uses 3D seismic data to describe the magma plumbing system of the Bight Basin Igneous Complex; a volcanic province located along the magma-poor southern Australian margin. Here, magma emplacement occurred in the Mid Eocene, some 40 million years after the onset of seafloor spreading. Our data images a variety of 5–270 m thick, 2–23 km diameter mafic intrusions that are confined to within 1200 m of the paleoseabed. Intrusions emplaced at ≤200 m depth formed hybrid and compound sills and are typified by elongate, lava flow-like morphologies. Intrusions emplaced at depths of 200–1200 m formed saucer-shaped and compound sills, as well as laccoliths. Approximately 60% of the intrusions have lava flows and volcanogenic vents above their shallowest tips, as shown from previous studies. This suggests that the intrusions played a crucial role in transporting magma to the paleoseabed. Furthermore, many of the intrusions are overlain by forced folds, highlighting the role of magma emplacement in inducing overburden deformation. The sills and laccoliths rarely form interlinked complexes and instead most commonly occur as isolated bodies. This suggests that they were fed by dykes. We infer that high rates of magma ascent in the dykes prevented their transition into sills within sediments at >1.2 km depth. Our study highlights that the magma plumbing system of the Bight Basin Igneous Complex contains a diversity of magmatic intrusions, the morphology of which is linked to their emplacement depth, host sediment rheology and the physical properties of the magma. This plumbing system contrasts markedly with those found along better-studied volcanic rifted margins.

Public domain satellite gravity inversion offshore Somalia combining layered-Earth and voxel based modelling

At the end of 2016, Spectrum Geo released two long offset seismic reflection profiles across the Somalian rifted margin, in the Juba Lamu and Obbia basins respectively – part of two larger 2D surveys acquired in 2014 and 2015/16 (Stanca et al., 2016; Figure 1). In frontier areas, potential field data interpretation, in particular public domain satellite-derived gravity, can play a key role in the early stages of exploration by identifying basement structure, sediment thickness, and the continental-oceanic crust transition (COT) or continental-oceanic boundary (COB), and hence indirectly contribute to the understanding of thermal history and the hydrocarbon system. This is particularly relevant over the Somalia margin, where geophysical surveys have been extremely sparse until very recent years. A high-gradient in the gravity is often used as a marker of the COB along passive margins (see Pawlowski (2008) for a review), expressing laterally contrasting physical properties between the continental and oceanic crusts. However, at magma-poor rifted margins, such as the Somalia margin, the lithosphere undergoes a progressive thinning/stretching process and the transition between unaltered continental crust and oceanic crust becomes gradual (Manatschal, 2004). Crustal hyper-extension, serpentinization, embrittlement, and exhumation of mantle peridotites can precede accretion of true oceanic crust, which in turn can blur the simple transitional model between a dense and highly magnetized oceanic crust and a weakly magnetized and lighter continental crust. Along a magma-poor margin, analysis of potential field data can distinguish the different rifting domains and quantify crustal thinning (Stanton et al., 2016; Cowie et al., 2015). In offshore Kenya and Somalia, the image is further complicated by thick sedimentary cover.

Crustal strain-dependent serpentinisation in the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland

Mantle hydration (serpentinisation) at magma-poor rifted margins is thought to play a key role in controlling the kinematics of low-angle faults and thus, hyperextension and crustal breakup. However, because geophysical data principally provide observations of the final structure of a margin, little is known about the evolution of serpentinisation and how this governs tectonics during hyperextension. Here we present new observational evidence on how crustal strain-dependent serpentinisation influences hyperextension from rifting to possible crustal breakup along the axis of the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland. We present three new P-wave seismic velocity models that show the seismic structure of the uppermost lithosphere and the geometry of the Moho across and along the basin axis. We use neighbouring seismic reflection lines to our tomographic models to estimate crustal stretching (βc) of ∼2.5 in the north at 52.5° N and >10 in the south at 51.7° N. These values suggest that no crustal embrittlement occurred in the northernmost region, and that rifting may have progressed to crustal breakup in the southern part of the study area. We observed a decrease in mantle velocities across the basin axis from east to west. These variations occur in a region where βc is within the range at which crustal embrittlement and serpentinisation are possible (βc 3–4). Across the basin axis, the lowest seismic velocity in the mantle spatially coincides with the maximum amount of crustal faulting, indicating fault-controlled mantle hydration. Mantle velocities also suggest that the degree of serpentinisation, together with the amount of crustal faulting, increases southwards along the basin axis. Seismic reflection lines show a major detachment fault surface that grows southwards along the basin axis and is only visible where the inferred degree of serpentinisation is >15%. This observation is consistent with laboratory measurements that show that at this degree of serpentinisation, mantle rocks are sufficiently weak to allow low-angle normal faulting. Based on these results, we propose two alternative formation models for the Porcupine Basin. The first involves a northward propagation of the hyperextension processes, while the second model suggests higher extension rates in the centre of the basin than in the north. Both scenarios postulate that the amount of crustal strain determines the extent and degree of serpentinisation, which eventually controls the development of detachments faults with advanced stretching.

Preserved organic matter in a fossil Ocean Continent Transition in the Alps: the example of Totalp, SE Switzerland

Evidence from ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges and both fossil and present-day Ocean–Continent Transitions (OCT) demonstrates that mantle serpentinization resulting from the interaction of mantle rock and water during tectonic exhumation is widespread. Observations at white smokers in modern ocean settings suggest that methane produced by serpentinization can support methanotrophic bio-systems, which use methane as the only source of carbon. An important question is whether such bio-systems are more generally pervasive in their association with serpentinized mantle in the subsurface. In this study, we examined whether there is evidence for such a methanotrophic system in exhumed serpentinized mantle at a magma-poor rifted continental margin, by probing for characteristic biological markers in these and associated sedimentary rocks in the Totalp unit of SE Switzerland. This unit represents a remnant of the former OCT of the southern Alpine Tethyan margin and was chosen because of its mild Alpine tectonic and low-grade metamorphic overprint during Alpine orogeny, hence giving potential for the preservation of indigenous organic matter (OM). Totalp samples are characterized by low organic carbon contents of 11–647 ppm. The majority of the samples contain hydrocarbons in the form of n-alkanes in the range C17–C36. Some sediments contain isoprenoids, for example pristane and phytane and a suite of steranes that are consistent with a marine origin for the OM preserved in the rocks. Traces of marine planktonic and bacterial OM are preserved in the serpentinized mantle and overlying sediments of this ancient Tethyan OCT, but there is no evidence that the OM has been generated from methanotrophic bio-systems.

Effects of geodynamic setting on the redox state of fluids released by subducted mantle lithosphere

Magnetite breakdown during subduction of serpentinised ultramafic rocks may produce oxidised fluids that oxidise the deep Earth and/or the sub-arc mantle, either via direct transport of ferric iron, or via redox reactions between ferric iron and other elements, such as sulfur. However, so far, there is no consensus on the oxidation state of fluids released during subduction of ultramafic rocks, or the factors that control this oxidation state.Subducted samples from a magma-poor rifted margin and a supra-subduction zone geodynamic setting were compared to examine evidence of changes in opaque phase assemblage and ferric iron content as a consequence of subduction, and as a function of geodynamic setting. Thermodynamic calculations in the system Fe–Ni–O–H–S and Fe–Ni–O–S at the pressures and temperatures of interest were used to constrain oxygen activities and fluid compositions.Samples from New Caledonia, which exemplify supra-subduction zone mantle, contain awaruite (FeNi3) and equilibrated with hydrogen-bearing fluids at oxygen activity less than the FMQ (fayalite–magnetite–quartz) buffer. In contrast, samples from the Zermatt Saas Zone ophiolite, Western Alps, which are thought to represent mantle from a subducted magma-poor rifted margin, contain magnetite plus sulfur-rich phases such as pyrite (FeS2), and are inferred to have equilibrated with hydrogen-poor fluids at oxygen activity greater than FMQ. This major difference is independent of differences in subduction pressure–temperature conditions, variation in peridotite protolith composition, or the nature of adjacent units. We propose that the Zermatt Saas Zone samples would have undergone more complete serpentinisation prior to subduction than the supra-subduction zone (SSZ) New Caledonian samples. This difference explains the different fluid compositions, because incompletely serpentinised rocks containing olivine and brucite retain or evolve awaruite-bearing assemblages that buffer fluid compositions to high hydrogen activity (aH2).Ultramafic rocks are associated with two distinctly different fluid compositions during pre-subduction and subduction serpentinisation. Initially, while olivine is in equilibrium with infiltrating fluid, mineral assemblages that include awaruite in the rocks buffer fluids to H2-bearing, low aO2 compositions. Deserpentinisation of incompletely serpentinised rocks in which awaruite is present also produces H2-bearing fluids. Once awaruite is exhausted, H2-poor, high aO2 fluids co-exist with awaruite-absent assemblages, and deserpentinisation of such rocks would produce H2O-rich fluids.Thus, deserpentinisation of ultramafic rocks could produce either hydrogen-bearing fluids that could infiltrate and reduce the sub-arc mantle, or more oxidised fluids, which could transfer redox budget to other geochemical reservoirs such as the sub-arc mantle. Therefore, the redox contribution of subducted ultramafic rocks to the deep Earth and sub-arc mantle depends on the extent of protolith serpentinisation. Pre-subduction settings that promote extensive serpentinisation by oxidised fluids at high fluid:rock ratios in open systems, such as slow and ultraslow spreading ridges, transform faults, oceanic core complexes, and exhumed mantle at rifted continental margins, may produce more oxidised fluids than those associated with less pervasive serpentinisation and fluids that may be rock-buffered to a reduced state.

Seawater storage and element transfer associated with mantle serpentinization in magma-poor rifted margins: A quantitative approach

Continental breakup in magma-poor rifted margins can develop, in some instances, after the formation of a wide exhumed domain that can be several hundreds of km wide. As exhumation of the continental mantle occurs serpentinization, due to seawater circulation, can extend as far down as 5–6 km, as observed in refraction seismic data. The impact caused by the process of serpentinization within the evolving ocean may have the potential to change: (i) seawater chemistry; (ii) sustain the evolution of primitive life; (iii) control depositional environments; and (iv) form weak zones preferentially used during the formation, reactivation and subduction of distal rifted margins. Based on geological observations, and geophysical and geochemical data from present-day and fossil zones of exhumed continental mantle, we present a first-order quantification showing that approximately 0.380 km3 of water per km2 can be stored in the mantle. Using simple methods, it can be shown that serpentinization may account for a significant loss of Si, Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Ni and Cr during serpentinization of mantle rocks. In particular during latest stages of rifting, when basins are often restricted and seaways are not yet connected, exhumation and the serpentinization of large areas of continental mantle may result in a major transfer of elements between the main Earth reservoirs, such as the mantle and seawater.

From stretching to mantle exhumation in a triangular backarc basin (Vavilov basin, Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean)

In this study, we describe the mode of extension of the Vavilov, a fossil backarc basin, triangle-shaped (approximately 240km-wide and 200km-long), located between Sardinia margin to the west and Campania margin to the east. We combine the analysis of recent geophysical and geological data, in order to investigate the relationship between the crustal/sedimentary structure and the tectonic evolution of both apex and bathyal parts of the basin. With this aim, we interpret a large data set of multichannel seismic reflection profiles and several well logs. We observe that the apex basin corresponds to a sediment-balanced basin, with a sedimentary infill recording the episodes of basin evolution. In contrast, the distal basin corresponds to an underfilled basin, characterized by localized volcanic activity and a thin sedimentary succession that covers the exhumed mantle. The basin architecture reveals the occurrence of rift and supradetachment basins in the Vavilov rift zone. We find that the rifting of the Vavilov triangular basin was synchronous from the apex to distal regions around a single Euler pole located in Latium, between 5.1 and 1.8Ma. The kinematic evolution of the Vavilov basin occurred in two stages: initial pure shear mode (5.1–4.0Ma) that produced high-angle normal faults and syn-sedimentary wedges, followed by simple shear mode (4.0–1.8Ma) that caused supradetachment basins filled by a Transgressive-Regressive succession that documents high subsidence rates (1.22mm/y) in the apex region. The final stage of extension in the distal region led to: (i) complete embrittlement of the crust; (ii) direct continuation of crustal faults to upper mantle depth; (iii) serpentinization and mantle exhumation. Based on constraints on the present-day crustal structure of the Vavilov basin, we obtain a stretching value (β=3.5) and extension rates (3cm/y) in the bathyal zone analogous to those reported for magma-poor rifted margins.

Three-dimensional ambient noise tomography across the Taiwan Strait: The structure of a magma-poor rifted margin

H.K-C. is supported by Ministry of Science and Technology (grant MOST104-2628-M-008-005-MY3). D. Brown acknowledges funding by MINECO grant-GL2013-43877-P. Q. Li and Z. Ye acknowledge funding by Sinoprobe-02-03. S wave tomography model presented in all figures can be obtained from the lead author (Hao Kuo-Chen, kuochen@ncu.edu.tw).

Mesozoic rift to post-rift tectonostratigraphy of the Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic

Jurassic-Cretaceous rift successions and basin geometries of the Sverdrup Basin are reconstructed from a review and integration of stratigraphy, igneous records, outcrop maps, and subsurface data. The rift onset unconformity is in the Lower Jurassic portion of the Heiberg Group (approximately 200–190 Ma). Facies transgress from early syn-rift sandstones of the King Christian Formation to marine mudstones of the Jameson Bay Formation. The syn-rift succession of marine mudstones in the basin centre, Jameson Bay to Deer Bay formations, ranges from Early Jurassic (Pleinsbachian) to Early Cretaceous (Valanginian). Early post-rift deposits of the lower Isachsen Formation are truncated by the sub-Hauterivian unconformity, which is interpreted as a break up unconformity at approximately 135–130 Ma. Cessation of rift subsidence allowed for late post-rift sandstone deposits of the Isachsen Formation to be distributed across the entire basin. Marine deposition to form mudstone of the Christopher Formation throughout the Canadian Arctic Islands and outside of the rift basin records establishment of a broad marine shelf during post-rift thermal subsidence at the start of a passive margin stage. The onset of the High Arctic Large Igneous Province at approximately 130 Ma appears to coincide with the breakup unconformity, and it is quite typical that magma-poor rifted margins have mainly post-rift igneous rocks. We extend the magma-poor characterization where rifting is driven by lithospheric extension, to speculatively consider that the records from Sverdrup Basin are consistent with tectonic models of retro-arc extension and intra-continental rifting that have previously been proposed for the Amerasia Basin under the Arctic Ocean.

Cenozoic magmatism in the northern continental margin of the South China Sea: evidence from seismic profiles

Igneous rocks in the northern margin of the South China Sea (SCS) have been identified via high resolution multi-channel seismic data in addition to other geophysical and drilling well data. This study identified intrusive and extrusive structures including seamounts and buried volcanoes, and their seismic characteristics. Intrusive features consist of piercement and implicit-piercement type structures, indicating different energy input associated with diapir formation. Extrusive structures are divided into flat-topped and conical-topped seamounts. Three main criteria (the overlying strata, the contact relationship and sills) were used to distinguish between intrusive rocks and buried volcanos. Three criteria are also used to estimate the timing of igneous rock formation: the contact relationship, the overlying sedimentary thickness and seismic reflection characteristics. These criteria are applied to recognize and distinguish between three periods of Cenozoic magmatism in the northern margin of the SCS: before seafloor spreading (Paleocene and Eocene), during seafloor spreading (Early Oligocene–Mid Miocene) and after cessation of seafloor spreading (Mid Miocene–Recent). Among them, greater attention is given to the extensive magmatism since 5.5 Ma, which is present throughout nearly all of the study area, making it a significant event in the SCS. Almost all of the Cenozoic igneous rocks were located below the 1500 m bathymetric contour. In contrast with the wide distribution of igneous rocks in the volcanic rifted margin, igneous rocks in the syn-rift stage of the northern margin of the SCS are extremely sporadic, and they could only be found in the southern Pearl River Mouth basin and NW sub-sea basin. The ocean–continent transition of the northern SCS exhibits high-angle listric faults, concentrated on the seaward side of the magmatic zone, and a sharply decreased crust, with little influence from a mantle plume. These observations provide further evidence to suggest that the northern margin of the SCS is a magma-poor rifted margin.

Application of the critical Coulomb wedge theory to hyper-extended, magma-poor rifted margins

The Critical Coulomb Wedge Theory (CCWT) has been extensively used in compressional tectonics to resolve the shape of orogenic or accretionary prisms, while it is less applied to extensional and gravitational wedges despite the fact that it can be described by the same equation. In particular, the hyper-extended domain at magma-poor rifted margins, forming the oceanward termination of extended continental crust, satisfies the three main requirements of the CCWT: 1) it presents a wedge shape, 2) the rocks forming the wedge are completely brittle (frictional), and 3) the base of the wedge corresponds to a low friction decollement. However hyper-extended margins present a fully frictional behaviour only for a very thin crust; therefore this study is limited to the termination of hyper-extended continental crust which deforms in the latest stage of continental rifting. In this paper we define a method to measure the surface slope and the basal deep of this wedge that we apply to 17 hyper-extended, magma-poor rifted margins in order to compare the results to the values predicted by the CCWT. Because conjugate pairs of hyper-extended, magma-poor rifted margins are commonly asymmetric, due to detachment faulting, the wedges in the upper and lower plate margins corresponding respectively to the hanging wall and footwall of the detachment system are different. While the stress field in the upper plate wedge corresponds to a tectonic extensional wedge, the one in the lower plate matches that of a gravity extensional wedge. Using typical frictional properties of phyllosilicates (e.g. clays and serpentine), the shape of the hyper-extended wedges can be resolved by the CCWT using consistent fluid overpressures. Our results show that all lower plate margins are gravitationally stable and therefore have a close to critical shape whereas the tectonic extensional wedges at upper plate margins are critical, sub or sup critical due to the detachment initial angle and the duration of the tectonic activity. In this paper we discuss the geometry and structural evolution of the most distal parts of hyper-extended continental margins and the formation of extensional allochthons during hyper-extension using the CCWT theory.

Mantle exhumation and sequence of magmatic events in the Magnaghi–Vavilov Basin (Central Tyrrhenian, Italy): New constraints from geological and geophysical observations

Highlights • A serpentinised peridotite basement is strongly supported by S-waves analysis • Depth dependent serpentinisation resembles to that observed at magma-poor margins. • Mantle exhumation was preceded by MOR-type magmatism and later intraplate volcanism. Summary The Tyrrhenian basin opened in the Neogene following the E–SE retreat of the Appenines–Calabrian subduction system and the subsequent back-arc extension of an orogenic crust. The resultant crustal structure includes a complex distribution of continental, back-arc magmatism, and mantle-exhumation domains. A clear example of this complex structure is found in the central and deepest part of the basin (i.e. Magnaghi–Vavilov sub-basin) where geophysical data supported that the bulk of the basement is composed of partially serpentinised peridotite representing exhumed mantle rocks, and intruded by basalts forming low ridges and volcanic edifices. However, those data sets cannot univocally demonstrate the widespread presence of serpentinised mantle rocks, let alone the percentage of serpentinisation. Here, we use S-wave arrivals and available geological information to further constrain the presence of mantle serpentinisation. Travel times of converted S-waves were used to derive the overall Vp/Vs and Poisson's ratio (σ), as well as S-wave velocity of the basement in the Magnaghi-Vavilov Basins. This analysis reveals Vp/Vs ≈ 1.9 (σ ≈ 0.3) that strongly supports a serpentinised peridotite forming the basement under the basins, rather than oceanic-type gabbro/diabase. P-wave velocity models is later used to quantify the amount of serpentinisation from fully serpentinised (up to 100%) at the top of the basement to < 10% at 5–7 km deep, with a depth distribution similar to continent–ocean Transition zones at magma-poor rifted margins. Seismic reflection profiles show normal faulting at either flank of the Magnaghi–Vavilov Basin that is potentially responsible for the onset of serpentinisation and later mantle exhumation. These results, together with basement sampling information in the area, suggests that the late stage of mantle exhumation was accompanied or soon followed by the emplacement of MOR-type basalts forming low ridges that preceded intraplate volcanism responsible for the formation of large volcanoes in the area.