Ridge-transform Intersection Research Articles

Evidence for low Vp/Vs ratios along the eastern Romanche ridge-transform intersection in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean

Very long oceanic transform faults do not just offset mid-oceanic ridges by hundreds of kilometers, but they also induce variations in the lithospheric structure and affect mantle melting, and hence the crustal accretion at the ridge-transform intersection (RTI). However, the deep structure of large offset RTIs remains unknown. Here, we present three-dimensional seismic tomography results (P- and S-wave velocities, Vp, Vs) in the vicinity of the eastern Romanche transform and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, using arrival times from microearthquakes recorded by a recent temporary array of seafloor seismometers. We find that normal to low Vp/Vs ratios (∼1.7) are observed at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, representing weak serpentinization and the dominant magmatic processes, whereas high Vp/Vs ratios (∼1.8-1.95) are observed west of the RTI, at the eastern termination of the 2016 Mw 7.1 earthquake. However, unusually low Vp/Vs ratios (∼1.6-1.7) are observed at 0-15 km depth and in the region of the 2016 Mw 7.1 earthquake rupture zone. We suggest that the unusually low Vp/Vs ratios result from the presence of thick cracks at shallow depths (0-8 km) and/or the enrichment of orthopyroxene in the deep mantle (8-15 km).

How transform fault shear influences where detachment faults form near mid-ocean ridges

Oceanic detachment faults represent an end-member form of seafloor creation, associated with relatively weak magmatism at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. We use 3-D numerical models to investigate the underlying mechanisms for why detachment faults predominantly form on the transform side (inside corner) of a ridge-transform intersection as opposed to the fracture zone side (outside corner). One hypothesis for this behavior is that the slipping, and hence weaker, transform fault allows for the detachment fault to form on the inside corner, and a stronger fracture zone prevents the detachment fault from forming on the outside corner. However, the results of our numerical models, which simulate different frictional strengths in the transform and fracture zone, do not support the first hypothesis. Instead, the model results, combined with evidence from rock physics experiments, suggest that shear-stress on transform fault generates excess lithospheric tension that promotes detachment faulting on the inside corner.

Disparate crustal thicknesses beneath oceanic transform faults and adjacent fracture zones revealed by gravity anomalies

AbstractPlate tectonics describes oceanic transform faults as conservative strike-slip boundaries, where lithosphere is neither created nor destroyed. Therefore, seafloor accreted at ridge-transform intersections should follow a similar subsidence trend with age as lithosphere that forms away from ridge-transform intersections. Yet, recent compilations of high-resolution bathymetry show that the seafloor is significantly deeper along transform faults than at the adjacent fracture zones. We present residual mantle Bouguer anomalies, a proxy for crustal thickness, for 11 transform fault systems across the full range of spreading rates. Our results indicate that the crust is thinner in the transform deformation zone than in either the adjacent fracture zones or the inside corner regions. Consequently, oceanic transform faulting appears not only to thin the transform valley crust but also leads to a secondary phase of magmatic addition at the transition to the passive fracture zones. These observations challenge the concept of transform faults being conservative plate boundaries.

Genesis of Oceanic Oxide Gabbros and Gabbronorites During Reactive Melt Migration at Transform Walls (Doldrums Megatransform System; 7–8°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Abstract The Doldrums Megatransform System (~7–8°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge) shows a complex architecture including four intra-transform ridge segments bounded by five active transform faults. Lower crustal rocks are exposed along the Doldrums and Vernadsky transform walls that bound the northernmost intra-transform ridge segment. The recovered gabbros are characterized by variably evolved chemical compositions, ranging from olivine gabbros to gabbronorites and oxide gabbros, and lack the most primitive gabbroic endmembers (troctolites, dunites). Notably, the numerous recovered gabbronorites show up to 20 vol. % of coarse-grained orthopyroxene. Although covariations in mineral and bulk-rock chemical compositions of the olivine and oxide gabbros define trends of crystallization from a common parental melt, the gabbronorites show elevated light over heavy rare earth elements (LREE/HREE) ratios in both bulk-rock and mineral compositions. These features are not consistent with a petrological evolution driven solely by fractional crystallization, which cannot produce the preferential enrichments in highly incompatible elements documented in the orthopyroxene-bearing lithologies. We suggest that gabbronorites crystallized from evolved melts percolating and partly assimilating a pre-existing olivine gabbro matrix. Saturation in orthopyroxene and selective enrichments in LREE relative to M-HREE are both triggered by an increase in assimilated crystal mass, which ranges from negligible in the oxide-gabbros to abundant in the gabbronorites. This melt–rock reaction process has been related to lateral melt migration beneath ridge-transform intersections, where variably evolved melts injected from the peripheral parts of the melting region towards the transform zone may interact with a gabbroic crystal mush to form abundant oxide-bearing gabbronoritic associations.

Active ocean–continent transform margins: seismic investigation of the Cayman Trough-Swan Island ridge-transform intersection

SUMMARY The southern boundary of the Cayman Trough in the Caribbean is marked by the Swan Islands transform fault (SITF), which also represents the ocean–continent transition of the Honduras continental margin. This is one of the few places globally where a transform continental margin is currently active. The CAYSEIS experiment acquired an ∼165-km-long seismic refraction and gravity profile (P01) running across this transform margin, and along the ridge-axis of the Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre (MCSC) to the north. This profile reveals not only the crustal structure of an actively evolving transform continental margin, that juxtaposes Mesozoic-age continental crust to the south against zero-age ultraslow spread oceanic crust to the north, but also the nature of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the ridge-transform intersection (RTI). The traveltimes of arrivals recorded by ocean-bottom seismographs (OBSs) deployed along-profile have been inverse and forward modelled, in combination with gravity modelling, to reveal an ∼25-km-thick continental crust that has been continuously thinned over a distance of ∼65 km to ∼10 km adjacent to the SITF, where it is juxtaposed against ∼3–4-km-thick oceanic crust. This thinning is primarily accommodated within the lower crust. Since Moho reflections are only sparsely observed, and, even then, only by a few OBSs located on the continental margin, the 7.5 km s–1 velocity contour is used as a proxy to locate the crust–mantle boundary along-profile. Along the MCSC, the crust–mantle boundary appears to be a transition zone, at least at the seismic wavelengths used for CAYSEIS data acquisition. Although the traveltime inversion only directly constrains the upper crust at the SITF, gravity modelling suggests that it is underlain by a higher density (>3000 kg m–3) region spanning the width (∼15 km) of its bathymetric expression, that may reflect a broad region of metasomatism, mantle hydration or melt-depleted lithospheric mantle. At the MCSC ridge-axis to the north, the oceanic crust appears to be forming in zones, where each zone is defined by the volume of its magma supply. The ridge tip adjacent to the SITF is currently in a magma rich phase of accretion. However, there is no evidence for melt leakage into the transform zone. The width and crustal structure of the SITF suggests its motion is currently predominantly orthogonal to spreading. Comparison to CAYSEIS Profile P04, located to the west and running across-margin and through 10 Ma MCSC oceanic crust, suggests that, at about this time, motion along the SITF had a left-lateral transtensional component, that accounts for its apparently broad seabed appearance westwards.

Subduction of the Izanagi-Pacific Ridge–transform intersection at the northeastern end of the Eurasian plate

Recent reconstructions of global plate motions suggest that the Izanagi-Pacific Ridge was subducted along the eastern margin of Eurasia at ca. 50 Ma. In the Hidaka magmatic zone (HMZ), which was located at the northeastern end of the Eurasian plate, three magmatic pulses occurred (46–45, 40–36, and 19–18 Ma). We report whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data for 36 Ma high-Sr/Y (adakitic) rocks from the HMZ and show that these rocks formed by partial melting of oceanic crust and were emplaced as near-trench intrusions during ridge subduction. We reevaluate the nature of plutonic rocks in the HMZ and show that both the 46–45 and 40–36 Ma granitoids have essentially identical geochemical features. The distribution of plutons and magmatic cessation between 45 and 40 Ma are best explained by subduction of a ridge-transform intersection with a large offset of the ridge axis. The boundary between the Eocene granitoids corresponds to the position of a paleo–transform fault, and adakitic magmatism was caused by partial melting triggered by slab tearing at an overlapping spreading center. The paleoridge-transform configuration coincides with the locations of later large faults and a peridotite body.

Seismic investigation of an active ocean–continent transform margin: the interaction between the Swan Islands Fault Zone and the ultraslow-spreading Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre

SUMMARY The Swan Islands Transform Fault (SITF) marks the southern boundary of the Cayman Trough and the ocean–continent transition of the North American–Caribbean Plate boundary offshore Honduras. The CAYSEIS experiment acquired a 180-km-long seismic refraction and gravity profile across this transform margin, ∼70 km to the west of the Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre (MCSC). This profile shows the crustal structure across a transform fault system that juxtaposes Mesozoic-age continental crust to the south against the ∼10-Myr-old ultraslow spread oceanic crust to the north. Ocean-bottom seismographs were deployed along-profile, and inverse and forward traveltime modelling, supported by gravity analysis, reveals ∼23-km-thick continental crust that has been thinned over a distance of ∼70 km to ∼10 km-thick at the SITF, juxtaposed against ∼4-km-thick oceanic crust. This thinning is primarily accommodated within the lower crust. Since Moho reflections are not widely observed, the 7.0 km s−1 velocity contour is used to define the Moho along-profile. The apparent lack of reflections to the north of the SITF suggests that the Moho is more likely a transition zone between crust and mantle. Where the profile traverses bathymetric highs in the off-axis oceanic crust, higher P-wave velocity is observed at shallow crustal depths. S-wave arrival modelling also reveals elevated velocities at shallow depths, except for crust adjacent to the SITF that would have occupied the inside corner high of the ridge-transform intersection when on axis. We use a Vp/Vs ratio of 1.9 to mark where lithologies of the lower crust and uppermost mantle may be exhumed, and also to locate the upper-to-lower crustal transition, identify relict oceanic core complexes and regions of magmatically formed crust. An elevated Vp/Vs ratio suggests not only that serpentinized peridotite may be exposed at the seafloor in places, but also that seawater has been able to flow deep into the crust and upper mantle over 20–30-km-wide regions which may explain the lack of a distinct Moho. The SITF has higher velocities at shallower depths than observed in the oceanic crust to the north and, at the seabed, it is a relatively wide feature. However, the velocity–depth model subseabed suggests a fault zone no wider than ∼5–10 km, that is mirrored by a narrow seabed depression ∼7500 m deep. Gravity modelling shows that the SITF is also underlain, at >2 km subseabed, by a ∼20-km-wide region of density >3000 kg m−3 that may reflect a broad region of metamorphism. The residual mantle Bouguer anomaly across the survey region, when compared with the bathymetry, suggests that the transform may also have a component of left-lateral trans-tensional displacement that accounts for its apparently broad seabed appearance, and that the focus of magma supply may currently be displaced to the north of the MCSC segment centre. Our results suggest that Swan Islands margin development caused thinning of the adjacent continental crust, and that the adjacent oceanic crust formed in a cool ridge setting, either as a result of reduced mantle upwelling and/or due to fracture enhanced fluid flow.

Distinctive Seafloor Fabric Produced Near Western Versus Eastern Ridge‐Transform Intersections of the Northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge: Possible Influence of Ridge Migration

AbstractMultibeam bathymetry compiled along fracture zones of the northern Atlantic reveals a striking morphological asymmetry. Seafloor fabric produced at western ridge‐transform intersections (RTIs) tends to consist of linear ridges, small in amplitude, and regularly spaced, and oceanic core complexes (OCCs) occur infrequently. In contrast, seafloor fabric produced at eastern RTIs is more irregular and blocky and displays characteristics usually associated with melt‐poor accretion: These include more than double the occurrence of OCCs as well as greater seafloor depths, even where seafloor is younger than that on the opposite side of the fracture zone. We propose that this asymmetry is a consequence of the westward migration of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. Such migration is expected to result in an enhanced melt supply at leading (western) RTIs compared to trailing (eastern) RTIs. The morphological asymmetry is observed for ridge offsets of ~40 to ~200 km, a range that may be related to the width of melting regimes that supply ridge segments. At slow spreading ridges, contrasting melt supplies across fracture zones may therefore be best expressed in the distinct seafloor fabrics preserved beyond the dynamically maintained relief of the axial rift valley and walls rather than in the contrasting axial depths documented for faster spreading ridges. Although OCCs appear to form preferentially at spreading rates lower than 30 mm/year, their common occurrence along the northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge may also reflect the significantly higher rates at which it is migrating compared to the southern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge.

Constraints on crustal structure of adjacent OCCs and segment boundaries at 13°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The 13° N segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of a morphologically well-studied slow spreading ridge segment populated with oceanic core complexes (OCCs). In this paper we present the results of a ∼200 km-long 2D seismic and gravity transect through this segment, the bounding fracture zones to the south and the ridge discontinuity to the north. We use this transect to consider the two end-member models of OCC evolution in which one, referred to as the Segment-scale model, implies they are interconnected with their detachments being part of a single segment-long feature, and the other, the Localised model, that each OCC is structurally isolated. We show, using the 7.5 km s−1 velocity contour as the base of crust marker, that the crust is consistently relatively thin ridge-parallel, at ∼5 km-thick on average, and that, beneath the OCCs, the Moho marks the top of a velocity gradient transition into the mantle, rather than a distinct velocity discontinuity. Although each OCC is not traversed in an identical structural location, they show a different crustal velocity-density structure with depth, with along axis variations in this structure mirrored by the bathymetric deeps between them. Older OCCs have a contrasting velocity-depth signature to the currently active 13°20′N OCC. The 13°20′N OCC is distinct in that it does not show higher relative velocity at shallower crustal depth like its neighbours, while the 13°30′N OCC has an apparently thinner crust. Our combined P-wave seismic travel-time tomography and gravity forward modelling suggests that the OCCs of the 13° N segment are not interconnected at depth. To the north of the 13°30′N OCC, our modelling also suggests that the crust is being magmatically refreshed, or that the ridge axis is currently undergoing magmatic accretion with an associated ridge tip propagation occurring across the ridge discontinuity that marks its northern edge. The profile also crosses the Marathon and Mercurius fracture zones that mark the southern limit of the 13° N segment and the southern ridge-transform intersection outside corner. Along profile, Marathon fracture zone offsets younger (∼1 My vs ∼8 My) oceanic crust than Mercurius fracture zone (∼8 My vs ∼11 My). When considered in combination, both seismic and gravity modelling suggest crustal thinning in the direct vicinity of the bathymetric valley of Marathon fracture zone, coupled with a region of low density that, most likely, reflects serpentinisation of the uppermost mantle. In addition, the crust captured between fracture zones appears relatively rotated about an E-W axis and uplifted to the north, with the upwards motion accommodated on the northern lateral edge of the bathymetric depression rather than in its centre. Both the outside corner and the crust bounded by fracture zones have velocity-depth characteristics similar to that of the 13° N segment OCCs rather than normally-accreted oceanic crust, particularly in the upper-to-middle crust. Overall, our results support the Localised model of OCC evolution and suggest that fracture zones do not become locked immediately on transform-to-fracture transition as current models dictate.

Magmatism, serpentinization and life: Insights through drilling the Atlantis Massif (IODP Expedition 357)

IODP Expedition 357 used two seabed drills to core 17 shallow holes at 9 sites across Atlantis Massif ocean core complex (Mid-Atlantic Ridge 30°N). The goals of this expedition were to investigate serpentinization processes and microbial activity in the shallow subsurface of highly altered ultramafic and mafic sequences that have been uplifted to the seafloor along a major detachment fault zone. More than 57 m of core were recovered, with borehole penetration ranging from 1.3 to 16.4 meters below seafloor, and core recovery as high as 75% of total penetration in one borehole. The cores show highly heterogeneous rock types and alteration associated with changes in bulk rock chemistry that reflect multiple phases of magmatism, fluid-rock interaction and mass transfer within the detachment fault zone. Recovered ultramafic rocks are dominated by pervasively serpentinized harzburgite with intervals of serpentinized dunite and minor pyroxenite veins; gabbroic rocks occur as melt impregnations and veins. Dolerite intrusions and basaltic rocks represent the latest magmatic activity. The proportion of mafic rocks is volumetrically less than the amount of mafic rocks recovered previously by drilling the central dome of Atlantis Massif at IODP Site U1309. This suggests a different mode of melt accumulation in the mantle peridotites at the ridge-transform intersection and/or a tectonic transposition of rock types within a complex detachment fault zone. The cores revealed a high degree of serpentinization and metasomatic alteration dominated by talc-amphibole-chlorite overprinting. Metasomatism is most prevalent at contacts between ultramafic and mafic domains (gabbroic and/or doleritic intrusions) and points to channeled fluid flow and silica mobility during exhumation along the detachment fault. The presence of the mafic lenses within the serpentinites and their alteration to mechanically weak talc, serpentine and chlorite may also be critical in the development of the detachment fault zone and may aid in continued unroofing of the upper mantle peridotite/gabbro sequences.New technologies were also developed for the seabed drills to enable biogeochemical and microbiological characterization of the environment. An in situ sensor package and water sampling system recorded real-time variations in dissolved methane, oxygen, pH, oxidation reduction potential (Eh), and temperature and during drilling and sampled bottom water after drilling. Systematic excursions in these parameters together with elevated hydrogen and methane concentrations in post-drilling fluids provide evidence for active serpentinization at all sites. In addition, chemical tracers were delivered into the drilling fluids for contamination testing, and a borehole plug system was successfully deployed at some sites for future fluid sampling. A major achievement of IODP Expedition 357 was to obtain microbiological samples along a west–east profile, which will provide a better understanding of how microbial communities evolve as ultramafic and mafic rocks are altered and emplaced on the seafloor. Strict sampling handling protocols allowed for very low limits of microbial cell detection, and our results show that the Atlantis Massif subsurface contains a relatively low density of microbial life.

Erratum: Corrigendum: Seismic precursors linked to highly compressible fluids at oceanic transform faults

Nature Geoscience 7, 757–761 (2014); published online 14 September 2014; corrected after print 24 December 2015. The version of this Letter originally published described hydrothermal fluids circulating within oceanic fracture zones near ridge-transform intersections as super-critical fluids. However, Daniel Broseta, Matthew Steele-MacInnis and Thomas Driesner pointed out that, even if this term is of common use in the scientific literature, this description is incorrect and potentially misleading for multi-component fluids such as seawater.

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of mafic-ultramafic rocks from the Central Indian Ridge, latitude 8°–17° S: denudation of mantle harzburgites and gabbroic rocks and compositional variation of basalts

This study investigates the formation of lower oceanic crust and geochemical variations of basalts along the Central Indian Ridge (CIR, lat. 7°45′–17°10′ S). Harzburgites, various gabbroic cumulates, medium- to fine-grained oxide gabbros, diabases, and pillow basalts were recovered by dredging from segment ends such as ridge-transform intersections (RTIs), non-transform discontinuities (NTDs), and transform offset areas. The occurrence of both harzburgites and gabbroic rocks with minor basalts at all segments ends, and leucogabbro intrusive into harzburgite at the 12°45′ S NTD indicates that oceanic crust at segment ends exposes mantle-derived harzburgites and gabbroic intrusions with a thin basaltic cover due to sparse magmatic activity. Basalts collected along the entire ridge show wide compositional variations between N (normal)- and E (enriched)-mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). T (transitional)-MORBs with enriched affinities are more prominent than N-MORBs. There is no tendency of enrichment towards specific directions. (La/Sm)N variations in MORB along the CIR (8°–21°S) fluctuates at a regional scale with local high positive anomalies reflecting compositional heterogeneity of the sub-CIR mantle domain.

Geological and geophysical evidences for mud diapirism in south-eastern Sicily (Italy) and geodynamic implications

A recent investigation on the northern margin of the Hyblean Plateau in south-eastern Sicily highlights the occurrence of a clayey diapiric intrusion into the foreland carbonate series. The piercing body, exposed along a ∼270 long and ∼30m deep NE-SW elongated quarry, consists of serpentinite-bearing clayey material. As suggested by the internal contractional features and by its geometric relations with the adjacent rocks, the clayey body intruded in the foreland series producing on its flanks a set of domino-arranged normal faults which nucleated as a result of gravitative collapse. Taking into account previous petrological studies, which provided information about the origin of the mud, a deep geodynamic model for the northern part of the Hyblean Plateau is here presented. The mud diapirs originated from the uprising of pre-existing serpentinite bodies and others products of alteration probably developed along an ancient ridge-transform intersection where a hydrothermally altered mantle wedge occurred. This interpretation is supported by seismic, magnetic and gravimetric anomalies beneath the analyzed area and has implications on its geodynamic evolution.

Initiation of transform faults at rifted continental margins: 3D petrological-thermomechanical modeling and comparison to the Woodlark Basin

This work presents high-resolution 3D numerical model of transform fault initiation at rifted continental margins. Our petrological-thermomechanical visco-plastic model allows for spontaneous nucleation of oceanic spreading process in a continental rift zone and takes into account new oceanic crust growth driven by decompression melting of the asthenospheric mantle. Numerical model predicts that ridge-transform spreading pattern initiate in several subsequent stages: crustal rifting (0–1.5 Myr), spreading centers nucleation and propagation (1.5–3 Myr), proto-transform fault initiation and rotation (3–5 Myr) and mature ridge-transform spreading (> 5 Myr). Comparison of modeling results with the natural data from the Woodlark Basin suggests that the development of this region closely matches numerical predictions. Similarly to the model, the Moresby (proto-) Transform terminates in the oceanic rather than in the continental crust. This fault associates with a notable topographic depression and formed within 0.5–2 Myr while linking two offset overlapping spreading segments. Model reproduces well characteristic “rounded” contours of the spreading centers as well as the presence of a remnant of the broken continental crustal bridge observed in the Woodlark Basin. Proto-transform fault traces and truncated tip of one spreading center present in the model are also documented in nature. Numerical results are in good agreement with the concept of Taylor et al. (2009) which suggests that spreading segments nucleate en echelon in overlapping rift basins and that transform faults develop as or after spreading nucleates. Our experiments also allow to refine this concept in that (proto)-transform faults may also initiate as oblique rather than only spreading-parallel tectonic features. Subsequent rotation of these faults toward the extension-parallel direction is governed by space accommodation during continued oceanic crust growth within offset ridge-transform intersections.

Serpentinization of mantle peridotites along an uplifted lithospheric section, Mid Atlantic Ridge at 11° N

Mantle peridotites from an exposed lithospheric section (Vema Lithospheric Section, VLS), generated during ~26Ma at a ~80km long Mid Atlantic Ridge segment (11° N), have been sampled and studied to understand the evolution of the serpentinization process. The VLS was uplifted due to a 10Ma transtensional event along the Vema transform. Before the uplift residual mantle rocks were lying beneath a 0.8–1.3km thick basaltic crustal layer. The major and trace element compositions of the serpentinites, as well as their H, O, Sr, Cl and B isotopic compositions were interpreted based on thermal models of lithospheric spreading from ridge axis. The results suggest that serpentinization occurred mostly near the ridge axis. Serpentinization temperatures, estimated from stable isotopes, are consistent with resetting of the closure temperatures during the tectonic uplift of the lithospheric sliver, reflected by decreasing δ18O and increasing δ11B values. Modeling shows that the thermal influence of the transtensional event affected mainly the region close to the RTI (ridge–transform intersection). Petrological, elemental and isotopic data suggest that, when the ultramafic basal unit of the VLS was uplifted and exposed on the ocean floor, serpentinization became superseded by low temperature water–rock reactions, with Fe–Mn crust formation, which is still progressing, as recorded by δD. Ultramafic mylonites, prevalent in a short stretch of the VLS, show only a partial serpentinization process, together with pervasive contamination by low-temperature Fe–Mn crust.

Using field data to constrain a numerical kinematic model for ridge-transform deformation in the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus

The Troodos ophiolite in Cyprus provides a unique opportunity to examine spatially varying patterns of deformation near a ridge-transform intersection. We focus on the paleo–inside corner defined by the E-W–striking, dextral Arakapas transform fault and the N-S–striking Solea graben. Rocks within the inside corner are primarily sheeted dikes and gabbros. The strikes of dikes vary with proximity to the Arakapas fault, changing from NW- to N- to E-striking with increasing proximity to the fault. We report new paleomagnetic results from 24 stations in the gabbroic rocks. When augmented with data from several previous studies, the combined paleomagnetic data set indicates that vertical-axis rotations increase from 5° to 90° with distance from the Solea graben. Rotations are also largest near the transform fault. We develop numerical kinematic models for deformation within the inside corner based on these field data. First, we fit an interpolation function to the two-dimensional field of vertical-axis rotations. This field is then used to undeform dikes, assuming that dikes were either part of rigid blocks or passive markers within a continuum. We find that dikes return to a consistent NW to NNW strike throughout much of the inside corner. This initial orientation is not ridge-parallel and therefore different from most common assumptions of dike behavior in Cyprus. However, the orientation is consistent with predictions from dynamic models of heterogeneous stress directions that develop near ridge-transform intersections.

Seismicity of the Atlantis Massif detachment fault, 30°N at the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge

At the oceanic core complex that forms the Atlantis Massif at 30°N on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, slip along the detachment fault for the last 1.5–2 Ma has brought lower crust and mantle rocks to the seafloor. Hydroacoustic data collected between 1999 and 2003 suggest that seismicity occurred near the top of the Massif, mostly on the southeastern section, while detected seismicity along the adjacent ridge axis was sparse. In 2005, five short‐period ocean bottom seismographs (OBS) were deployed on and around the Massif as a pilot experiment to help constrain the distribution of seismicity in this region. Analysis of six months of OBS data indicates that, in contrast to the results of the earlier hydroacoustic study, the vast majority of the seismicity is located within the axial valley. During the OBS deployment, and within the array, seismicity was primarily composed of a relatively constant background rate and two large aftershock sequences that included 5 teleseismic events with magnitudes between 4.0 and 4.5. The aftershock sequences were located on the western side of the axial valley adjacent to the Atlantis Massif and close to the ridge‐transform intersection. They follow Omori's law, and constitute more than half of the detected earthquakes. The OBS data also indicate a low but persistent level of seismicity associated with active faulting within the Atlantis Massif in the same region as the hydroacoustically detected seismicity. Within the Massif, the data indicate a north‐south striking normal fault, and a left‐lateral, strike‐slip fault near a prominent, transform‐parallel, north‐facing scarp. Both features could be explained by changes in the stress field at the inside corner associated with weak coupling on the Atlantis transform. Alternatively, the normal faulting within the Massif might indicate deformation of the detachment surface as it rolls over to near horizontal from an initial dip of about 60° beneath the axis, and the strike‐slip events may indicate transform‐parallel movement on adjacent detachment surfaces.

Segmentation and morphology of the Central Indian Ridge between 3°S and 11°S, Indian Ocean

The segmentation pattern of 750km long Central Indian Ridge (CIR) between 3°S and 11°S latitudes in the Indian Ocean has been studied using multibeam bathymetry and magnetic data. Twelve ridge segments were identified that are separated by well defined transform faults and non-transform discontinuities. Magnetic model studies qualify the ridge as a slow spreading ridge with average full spreading rates varying from 26 to 38mm/yr. The disposition of the magnetic anomalies suggests that the plate opening direction has not changed during the last 0–4Ma period. Along axis variations in the magnetic anomalies, presence of axial volcanic ridges on the inner valley floor, variations in the depth and geometry of the rift valley, suggest distinct variati'ons in the accretionary processes along the ridge. Based on these characteristics and the segmentation pattern, we suggest that ten ridge segments are undergoing less magmatic phase of extension, while two segments have shown characteristics of magmatic accretion. The linear segments with narrow and shallow rift valley floor and near symmetric magnetic anomalies are identified as segments with magmatic accretion. The influence of diffuse plate boundary zone on the young seafloor fabric generated by the CIR has been examined. The seafloor topography different from the normal ridge parallel fabric observed at few places over the NE flank of the CIR is suggested to be the consequence of gradual and progressive influence of the distributed diffuse plate boundary (between the Indian–Capricorn plates), on the newly generated oceanic lithosphere. Further, we documented distinct ridge-transform intersection (RTI) highs, three of these RTI highs are identified as oceanic core complexes/megamullion structures. Megamullion structures are found to be associated with less magmatic sections. Increased seismicity has been observed at the less magmatic segment ends suggesting the predominance of tectonic extension prevalent at the sparsely magmatic sections.

Axial morphology along the Southern Chile Rise

Morphology of four spreading segments on the southern Chile Rise is described based on multi-beam bathymetric data collected along the axial zones. The distribution of axial volcanoes, the character of rift valley scarps, and the average depths vary between Segment 1 in the south, terminating at the Chile Triple Junction, and Segment 4 in the north, which are separated by three intervening transform faults. Despite this general variability, there is a consistent pattern of clockwise rotation of the southern-most axial volcanic ridge within each of Segments 2, 3, and 4, relative to the overall trend of the rift valley. A combination of local ridge-transform intersection stresses and regional tectonics may influence spreading axis evolution in this sense.

Direct evidence for dynamic magma supply fossilized in the lower oceanic crust of the Troodos ophiolite

[1] Temporal and spatial variabilities of mantle upwelling and melt supply in mid-ocean ridges (MORs) have long been documented. Such variabilities span a range of scales and have a profound effect on the structure as well as the composition of the oceanic crust. Previous seismic and gravity studies have suggested that the lower oceanic crust plays a major role in accommodating these changes in melt supply. Here we report the first direct evidence for a sharp transition from coherent sub-horizontal to near vertical magma flows frozen in the lower oceanic crust of the Troodos ophiolite at the segment edge near a fossil ridge-transform intersection. We constrain the preferred petrofabric lineation directions at 13 gabbroic sites using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) verified by electron backscatter diffraction. Pre-emplacement accretion-related rotations were corrected using magnetic remanence directions. We identify two provinces of nearly uniform susceptibility directions (principal axes) and attribute them to two magmatic episodes. A more focused mantle upwelling and melting episode near the segment midpoint may have resulted in lower crustal lateral magma flows along the fossil segment-edge, whereas uniform mantle upwelling and melt supply along the entire axis may have resulted in vertical magma flows at the segment-edge. Overall, our data verify the vital role of the lower oceanic crust in accommodating changes in mantle upwelling and melt supply beneath MORs.