Segment Of Mid-Atlantic Ridge Research Articles

Oceanic Crust Formation in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Segment between Azores and Icelandic Plumes: Results of Geological and Petrogeochemical Studies

Oceanic Crust Formation in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Segment between Azores and Icelandic Plumes: Results of Geological and Petrogeochemical Studies

Oceanic Crust Formation in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Segment between Azores and Icelandic Plumes: Results of Geological and Petrogeochemical Studies

The structure of the ocean floor and the composition of basalts and dolerites of the MAR segment between the Maxwell and Charlie Gibbs FZs (North Atlantic) were studied based on the data of the 53rd cruise of the R/V “Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov”. It was found that in this segment, along the spreading axis, areas of greater and lesser magmatic productivity alternate, which correspond to higher and lower bottom relief. In areas of high relief, spreading cells form in the axial zone, and rises of various nature dominate in the ridge zone: from tectonic to volcanic. In areas of low relief, the rift valley consists of deep rift basins, and low ridges are developed on the flanks, separated by wide depressions. Oceanic tholeites N, T and E-MORB are distinguished among the studied volcanites. The first of them are ubiquitous and were melted from mainly depleted mantle (source DM). Basalts and dolerites of E-MORB are found in areas of high relief. Their mantle substrate is formed by a mixture of DM and EM-2 material with the subordinate role of HIMU. T-MORB volcanites are mainly localized on large volcanic rises in the southern part of the studied MAR segment and were melted from a substrate formed by a mixture of DM and HIMU material with the subordinate role of EM-2. Two types of mantle inhomogeneities involved in melting are reconstructed: passive and active. The former are represented by blocks of the transformed continental lithosphere that are similar in composition to the EM-2 mantle source. Active inhomogeneities associate with the uplift near Maxwell FZ of the microplume of the enriched mantle with a composition close to HIMU and with its subaxial flow in the north direction up to the Charlie Gibbs FZ.

ACCRETION OF THE OCEANIC CRUST IN THE MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE (48°–51.5° N) IN THE PROCESS OF “DRY” SPREADING

The paper is based on geological and geophysical data obtained during 53-th expedition of the research vessel “Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov”. We analyze the structure of Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment, 400 km long in the North Atlantic (between 48° and 51.5° N). According to our studies, this segment is characterized by specific structures formed during the formation of the oceanic crust with reduced basaltic melts supply, which, with going extension in the rift valley, leads to tectonic outcropping of deep lower crustal and mantle rocks. Such processes, called “dry” spreading, were previously unknown in the North Atlantic.

High H2O Content in Pyroxenes of Residual Mantle Peridotites at a Mid Atlantic Ridge Segment

Global correlations of mid-ocean-ridges basalt chemistry, axial depth and crustal thickness have been ascribed to mantle temperature variations affecting degree of melting. However, mantle H2O content and elemental composition may also play a role. How H2O is distributed in the oceanic upper mantle remains poorly constrained. We tackled this problem by determining the H2O content of orthopyroxenes (opx) and clinopyroxenes (cpx) of peridotites from a continuous lithospheric section created during 26 Ma at a 11°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment, and exposed along the Vema Transform. The H2O content of opx ranges from 119 ppm to 383 ppm; that of cpx from 407 ppm to 1072 ppm. We found anomalous H2O-enriched peridotites with their H2O content not correlating inversely with their degree of melting, although H2O is assumed to be incompatible during melting. Inverse correlation of H2O with Ce, another highly incompatible component, suggests post-melting H2O enrichment. We attribute a major role to post-melting temperature-dependent diffusion of hydrogen occurring above the melting region, where water-rich melt flows faster than residual peridotites through dunitic conduits cross-cutting the uprising mantle. Accordingly, estimates of the H2O content of the MORB mantle source based on H2O in abyssal peridotites can be affected by strong uncertainties.

Mantle thermal structure at northern Mid–Atlantic ridge from improved numerical methods and boundary conditions

Summary We computed mantle flow and thermal structure beneath a segment of the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge using numerical simulations adopting asymmetric spreading and ridge migration as boundary conditions. The objective is to obtain new insights on mantle processes acting at this ridge segment. We explored different lateral boundary conditions based on velocity, stress and stress-velocity constraints highlighting differences in the depth of the thermal base of the lithosphere versus domain width. Here, we propose a new formulation of lateral and bottom boundary conditions based on the choice of a proper tangential stress at the bottom and on lateral boundaries of the domain accounting for ridge migration. Moreover, dimensional analysis of governing equations suggests that heat generation due to work of the viscous forces cannot be neglected in the computations. Therefore, we included this thermal contribution into the numerical experiments providing an application to the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge at the reference latitude of 43 ○N. Results are compared with available geophysical data in the area, including also mantle tomography models. Asymmetric spreading and ridge migration in numerical modelling account for an asymmetric accretion of the oceanic lithosphere, supporting the evidence of the asymmetries described by geophysical data across the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge segments.

Пространственное-временное сопоставление сейсмичности и изостатических аномалий вдоль Срединно-Атлантического хребта

The structure of a spatial-temporal distribution of seismic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) according to teleseismic data is characterized by areas of increased activity that are marked on spatial-temporal cross-sections with stripes of event concentration, divided by inactive areas of low seismic activity that are marked on cross-sections with gaps. The areas with increased seismic activity matching minimums of isostasy can be interpreted as local areas of hot mantel injection reflected in gravity anomalies and seismic activity stable both over time and in position. These areas exist in the MAR segments that are characterized by a low-temperature and low-depth magmatic activity of “spreading” type. The gaps in seismic activity were observed in the areas of highly productive magmatic activity of “plume” type, where the mantle with lower viscosity and low tectonic stress is distributed. Wide stripes of high seismic activity coincide with shear fracture zones with high amplitude lateral discontinuity of MAR axis. The stripes of seismic activity matching the local maximums of isostasy can either mark transform faults, where shear type seismic events are registered, or highly productive “plume” magmatism with increased seismic activity, where the magmatic activity leads to a volcanic activity that forms sea floor peculiarities observed in gravity anomalies.

New hydrothermal sulfide fields of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Yubileinoe (20°09′ N) and Surprise (20°45.4′ N)

Two new sulfide fields (Yubileinoe, 20°09′ N, and Surprise, 20°45.4′ N) were discovered between 20°01′ and 20°54′ N within the Russian Application Area of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The Yubileinoe field is located at a depth of 2300–2550 m in the near-top area of the first rift ridge, which is a boundary of the western wall of the rift valley. This new field and the Zenith-Victory field, which was previously discovered in the eastern wall, occur symmetrically relative to the rift valley of this MAR segment. The Surprise field at a depth of 2800–2850 m is situated in the eastern wall of the rift valley, on the slope of the volcanic uplift. After the discovery of these inactive sulfide fields, the number of hydrothermal fields within the Russian Application Area reached ten.

Sulfide geochronology along the Northern Equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Hydrothermal processes and seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits have different characteristics at fast and slow spreading mid-ocean ridges. One such parameter is the age of a SMS deposit, which differs by 1–2 orders of magnitude between the fast spreading East Pacific Rise (EPR) and the slow spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The large collection of SMS samples dated from the 18 hydrothermal fields of the northern equatorial part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (194 samples) demonstrates a relatively old average age of hydrothermal fields here (~66ka) with the oldest one estimated as ca. 223ka (Peterburgskoye field). Based on geochronological data it was confirmed that hydrothermal discharge has an episodic character: active and inactive periods of the SMS formation alternate. The distribution of events at all hydrothermal fields demonstrates that maximum activity occurred at 38–35, 30–20, and 8–2ka and increased with time. Based on statistical analyses, dating variations can be explained as a superposition of several periods of activity with the duration of ~15, 10 and 5ka.Relationship between the age and distance from the axial rift zone as well as between the age and aerial distribution is different for SMS deposits hosted by basalts and by gabbro-peridotites depending on their geological setting on the particular MAR segment. This difference can be explained by a variety of hydrothermal processes determined by “tectonic” or “magmatic” segment evolution and symmetrical or asymmetrical mode of accretion (Escartin et al., 2008).

He, Ne and Ar isotope signatures of mid-ocean ridge basalts and their implications for upper mantle structure: A case study from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 4–12°S

The geochemical structure of the upper mantle in general and its noble gas isotopic structure in particular have been the subject of countless studies, as both provide important insights into mantle dynamic processes and are essential for the formulation of mantle geodynamic models. This contribution presents a noble gas study of basaltic glasses derived from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) between 4° and 12°S, an area well known for its high degree of lithophile isotope heterogeneity and its anomalous crustal thickness. The Sr, Nd, Pb and Hf isotopic systematics along this segment of the MAR range from strongly depleted (i.e. more depleted than N-MORB) to highly enriched. Different concepts have been proposed to explain the observed isotopic signatures. Here we show that the high degree of heterogeneity is not confined to the isotopes of the lithophile elements, but is also shown by the noble gas isotopes and noble gas interelement ratios, such as 3He/22NeM or 4He/40Ar∗. Helium isotopic ratios (3He/4He), 21Ne/22Neextra and 40Ar/36Ar range from 7.34±0.06 to 9.38±0.08RA, from 0.039±0.020 to 0.075±0.007, and from 346±5 to 37,400±1300, respectively. However, the majority of the Ne isotope data are clearly aligned along a single mixing line in the Ne three-isotope diagram, represented by the equation 20Ne/22Ne=70.5×21Ne/22Ne+7.782, with a slope distinctly less than that of the MORB line. This indicates that the strongly depleted material is characterised by a significantly more nucleogenic Ne isotopic composition than the normal depleted mantle. We show, based on covariations between 3He/4He and 21Ne/22Neextra with 206Pb/204Pb and 178Hf/177Hf that the strongly depleted material erupted at this MAR segment was most likely produced by an ancient melting event. This implies that isotopic heterogeneities in the upper mantle are not solely caused by the injection of enriched materials from deep-seated mantle plumes or by crustal recycling but may also be due to differences in the depth and degree of melting of upper mantle material over the lifetime of our planet. In addition, the observed along-ridge and off-axis isotope patterns in conjunction with spatial distribution patterns of off-axis seamounts in the area show that the upper mantle can be extremely heterogeneous in space and time even at small scales. This implies that the mixing efficiency of either large- or small-scale convection processes in the upper mantle might be lower than assumed.

Composition and Formation of Gabbro-Peridotite Hosted Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposits from the Ashadze-1 Hydrothermal Field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

This paper presents mineralogical and geochemical data on seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) from the Ashadze-1 hydrothermal field at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). The Ashadze-1 deposit is associated with the uplifted lower crust and upper mantle (oceanic core complex, OCC) of the MAR segment characterized by asymmetric mode of accretion. The OCC is represented by deep-seated gabbro-peridotite rocks exhumed on the rift valley slope along the detachment fault, during seafloor spreading. Hydrothermal processes in OCC environments result in different deposit composition and morphology compared to basalt-hosted systems. Abundant chimneys and enrichment in particular metals, including copper, zinc, gold, cobalt and tin are typical for this type of SMS deposit. The Ashadze-1 deposit is considered an example of a hydrothermal system in the initial stage of evolution marked by the young age of the sulfides (<7.2 kyr). The mineralogy of Ashadze-1 reflects primary ore-forming processes unaffected by post formation alteration. We propose a model for the primary ore-forming hydrothermal process in an ultramafic-hosted environment on the modern seafloor.

Distributed deformation close to the Azores Triple “Point”

Terceira Rift and the northern and southern branches of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) form a triple junction close to 39°N known as the Azores Triple Junction. New swath bathymetric data are used to investigate the surface expression of faulting close to the triple junction, by the systematic mapping of MAR-generated abyssal hills. It is shown that close to the geometrical intersection between the three spreading axes there exists no single transform fault connecting Terceira Rift to the MAR but a distributed tectonic deformation area characterized by mesoscale brittle deformation close to the surface, covering approximately 90 km by 100 km, and almost no volcanism, which links Terceira Rift to the MAR, accommodating the relative displacement of the three plates close to the geometrically triple point. Magnetic chrons are used to compute the spatial variation of spreading velocity at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and confirm the above interpretation: they show a progressive increase of spreading velocity along a single MAR segment, between pure “Nubian” at 38°30′N and pure “Eurasian” at 39°25′N, without the development of a transform fault that would integrate the Eurasia–Nubia plate boundary. The comparison of similar triple junctions where a slower axis joins two faster ridges, shows that the slower arm does not reach the “triple point” and that there is always a finite triple junction area, highly tectonized, in which size is dependent on the angle between the two faster arms and, consequently, on the relative spreading velocity of the slower arm.

Geochemical nature and age of the plagiogranite-gabbronorite association of the oceanic core complex of the Mid-Atlantic ridge at 5°10′S

Our newly obtained data on the geochemistry and age of plagiogranite-gabbronorite association in the oceanic core complex of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) at 5°10′S suggest close genetic relations between these rocks in this segment of the ridge. The U/Pb zircon age of an oceanic plagiogranite (OPG) sample is 1.059 ± 0.055 Ma and is in good agreement with the zircon age of plutonic rocks in the oceanic core complex of northern MAR. A distinctive geochemical feature of the rocks is their unusually depleted 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios, which suggest that the plutonic rocks of the gabbronorite-plagiogranite association in MAR at 5°10′S could be derived from the most strongly depleted mantle reservoir of all known to occur beneath the axial MAR zone. The COMAGMAT-5.2 numerical thermodynamic simulation of the possible crystallization links between the plagiogranite and gabbronorite from the MAR segment at 5°10′S led us to conclude that the leading role in the origin of the plagiogranite was played by a two-stage process: the partial melting of the gabbronorite and the subsequent fractionation of the newly generated melt. The regional differences between the isotopic-geochemical parameters of MAR plagiogranites can, perhaps, reflect local specifics of so-called hydrothermal anatexis, such as the geochemical features of the rocks involved in this process and the parameters of the hydrothermal process, for example, variations in the W/R ratio.

Helium isotope systematics in the vicinity of the Azores triple junction: Constraints on the Azores geodynamics

We present new He isotopic data from subaerial and submarine samples collected along the Terceira Rift (Azores Plateau) in order to constrain the sources involved in the Azores magmatism in the unique geodynamic context of the Azores triple junction. Lower than MORB 4He/3He isotopic ratios were determined on olivines from the Terceira Island and the adjacent Serreta submarine ridge (down to ≈69,000; ≈10.5 R/Ra), which in addition to the Ne isotopes previously published in Madureira et al. (2005) [Primitive helium and neon isotopes in Terceira Island: Constraints on the origin of the Azores archipelago. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 233, 429–440], support the geochemical models that consider the involvement of the lower mantle in the Azores magmatism. The analysis of He data published for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) points to the existence of chemically distinct mantle domains underneath Eurasia and Nubia lithospheric plates, which can result from an heterogeneous distribution of asthenosphere metasomatism during the initial stages of plume activity in the Azores region. At the Terceira Rift, lavas from Graciosa Island, as well as from the western end of São Miguel Island and D. João de Castro Bank, display 4He/3He ratios similar to those observed along the MAR segments located to the north of the Azores triple junction area. Conversely, samples from the south Hirondelle Basin and also Faial display a He isotopic signature similar to that of MORB erupted along MAR segments located to the south of the Azores Plateau. The Terceira Rift and the Azores triple junction area are thus characterized by the mingling of two different asthenospheric domains referred as “Eurasia” and “Nubia” type and by the presence of mantle plume derived material having primitive helium signature.

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.

Intraglacial volcanism in the Western Volcanic Zone, Iceland

The Western Volcanic Zone in Iceland (64.19° to 65.22° N) has the morphological characteristics of a distinct Mid-Atlantic ridge segment. This volcanic zone was mapped at a scale of 1:36.000, and 258 intraglacial monogenetic volcanoes from the Late Pleistocene (0.01–0.78 Ma) were identified and investigated. The zone is characterized by infrequent comparatively large volcanic eruptions and the overall volcanic activity appears to have been low throughout the Late Pleistocene. Tholeiitic basaltic rocks dominate in the Western Volcanic Zone with about 0.5 vol. % of intermediate and silicic rocks. The basalts divide into picrites, olivine tholeiites, and tholeiites. Three main eruptive phases can be distinguished in the intraglacial volcanoes: an effusive deep-water lava phase producing basal pillow lavas, an explosive shallow-water phase producing hyaloclastites and an effusive subaerial capping lava phase. Three evolutionary stages therefore charcterize these volcanoes; late dykes and irregular minor intrusions could be added as the fourth main stage. These intrusions are potential heat sources for short-lived hydrothermal systems and may play an important role in the final shaping of the volcanoes. Substantial parts of the hyaloclastites of each unit are proximal sedimentary deposits. The intraglacial volcanoes divide into two main morphological groups, ridge-shaped volcanoes, i.e., tindars (including pillow lava ridges) and subrectangular volcanoes, i.e., tuyas and hyaloclastite or pillow lava mounds. The volume of the tuyas is generally much larger than that of the tindars. The largest tuya, Eiriksjokull, is about 48 km3 and therefore the largest known monogenetic volcano in Iceland. Many of the large volcanoes, both tuyas and tindars, show a similar, systematic range in geochemistry. The most primitive compositions were erupted first and the magmas then changed to more differentiated compositions. The ridge-shaped tindars clearly erupted from volcanic fissures and the more equi-dimensional tuyas mainly from a single crater. It is suggested that the morphology and structure of the intraglacial volcanos mainly depends on two factors, (a) tectonic control and (b) availability of magma at the time of eruption.

Seafloor Massive Sulfides from the Northern Equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge: New Discoveries and Perspectives

In addition to the two new hydrothermal fields Krasnov (l6° 38′ N) and Ashadze (13° N) discovered in 2003–2004, some later discoveries were made in the Northern Equatorial segment of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Two new major seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits: Semyenov (13° 31′ N) and Zenith-Victory (20° 08′ N), as well as the now extended Puy des Folles hydrothermal field (20° 30.5′ N), provide enough data to make conclusions about the general characteristics of SMS deposits in the northern equatorial MAR environment. Parameters of SMS deposits, such as their distribution, geological setting, morphology, composition and age, are discussed in this paper. A majority of studied SMS deposits (Ashadze, Logatchev, Semyenov) are associated with uplifted lower crust and mantle rocks (oceanic core complex, or OCC) at the MAR segments with asymmetric mode of accretion. OCC is tectonically uplifted along with detachment faults, which exhume deep-seated rocks onto the seafloor. Detachment faults, in turn, could be the conduits for the circulation of seawater and discharge of hydrothermal fluids. Gabbro-peridotite hosted deposits are characterized by high concentrations of copper, gold and cobalt. The relationship between the size of the deposits and their age is documented.

Cosmogenic 3He exposure ages and geochemistry of basalts from Ascension Island, Atlantic Ocean

The chronology and origin of volcanism of Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean, is poorly resolved. Here we use in situ produced cosmogenic 3He in olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts from well-preserved lava flows to date the main sub-aerial basalt volcanism on the island. Etching olivine separates in HF/HNO 3 appears to remove a significant proportion of the implanted radiogenic 4He contribution. Average exposure ages of each flow corrected for radiogenic He range from 328 ka to 186 ka and are used to refine the chronology and stratigraphy of the island. Magmatic 3He/ 4He ratios derived from in vacuo crushing are in the range of 6.3–7.3 R A. This range is lower than the neighbouring Mid-Atlantic Ridge segment (6–8°S) but slightly higher than measured in regional ocean islands of St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Gough. Combining these data with new trace element data and published radiogenic isotope ratios it appears that the Ascension Island magmatism is a mix of HIMU mantle material, typified by basalts from St. Helena, and depleted MORB-source mantle.

Accretion of crust in the axial zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of the Martin Vas Fracture Zone, South Atlantic

New data are obtained on the structure, evolution, and origin of zones of nontransform offsets of adjacent segments in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), which, in contrast to transform fracture zones, so far are studied insufficiently. The effects of deep mantle plumes developing off the crest of the MAR on the processes occurring in the spreading zone are revealed. These results are obtained from the geological investigation of the crest of the MAR between 19.8 ° and 21° S, where bottom sampling, bathymetric survey, and magnetic measurements have been carried out previously. Two segments of the rift valley displaced by 10 km relative to each other along a nontransform offset are revealed. A volcanic center of a spreading cell, which has been active over the last 2 Ma, is located in the northern part of the southern segment and distinguished by a decreased depth of the rift valley and increased thickness of the crust. Magnesian, slightly evolved basalts of the N-MORB type are detected in this center, whereas evolved and high-Fe basalts are found beyond it. The variation in the composition of the basalts indicates that the volcanic center is related to the upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle, which spread along and across the spreading ridge. In the lithosphere, the melt migrated off the volcanic center along the rift valley. In the northern segment, a vigorous volcanic center arose 2.5 Ma ago near its southern end; at present, the volcanic activity has ceased. As a result of the volcanic activity, an oval rise composed of enriched T-MORB-type basalts was formed at the western flank of the crest zone. The isotopic signatures show that the primary melts are derivatives of the chemically heterogeneous mantle. The mixing of material of the depleted mantle with the mantle material pertaining either to the Saint Helena or the Tristan da Cunha plumes is suggested; the mixture of all three sources cannot be ruled out. The conclusion is drawn that the mantle material of the Saint Helena plume was supplied to the melting zone beneath the axial rift near the oval rise along a linear permeable zone in the mantle extending at an azimuth of 225° SW. The blocks of mantle material that got to the convecting mantle from the Tristan da Cunha plume at the stage of supercontinent breakup were involved in melting as well. The nontransform offset between the two segments arose on the place of a previously existing transform fracture zone about 5 Ma ago. The nontransform offset developed in the regime of oblique spreading at the progressive propagation of the southern segment to the north. The zone of nontransform offset is characterized by recent volcanic activity. Over the last 2 Ma, spreading of the studied MAR segment was asymmetric, faster in the western direction. The rates of westward and eastward half-spreading in the northern segment are estimated at 1.88 and 1.60 cm/yr, respectively.

Peridotite-melt interaction under transitional conditions between the spinel and plagioclase facies beneath the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Insight from peridotites at 13°N

Peridotites (diopside-bearing harzburgites) found at 13°N of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge fall into two compositional groups. Peridotites P1 are plagioclase-free rocks with minerals of uniform composition and Capyroxene strongly depleted in highly incompatible elements. Peridotites P2 bear evidence of interaction with basic melt: mafic veinlets; wide variations in mineral composition; enrichment of minerals in highly incompatible elements (Na, Zr, and LREE); enrichment of minerals in moderately incompatible elements (Ti, Y, and HREE) from P1 level to abundances 4–10 times higher toward the contacts with mafic aggregates; and exotic mineral assemblages Cr-spinel + rutile and Cr-spinel + ilmenite in peridotite and pentlandite + rutile in mafic veinlets. Anomalous incompatible-element enrichment of minerals from peridotites P2 occurred at the spinel-plagioclase facies boundary, which corresponds to a pressure of about 0.8–0.9 GPa. The temperature and oxygen fugacity were estimated from spinel-orthopyroxene-olivine equilibria. Peridotites P1 with an uniform mineral composition record the temperature of the last complete recrystallization at 940–1050°C and FMQ buffer oxygen fugacity within the calculation error. In peridotites P2, local assemblages have different compositions of coexisting minerals, which reflects repeated partial recrystallization during heating to magmatic temperatures (above 1200°C) and subsequent reequilibration at temperatures decreasing to 910°C and an oxygen fugacity significantly higher than FMQ buffer (Δlog \( f_{O_2 } \) = 1.3–1.9). Mafic veins are considered to be a crystallization product from basic melt enriched in Mg and Ni via interaction with peridotite. The geochemical type of the melt reconstructed by the equilibrium with Ca-pyroxene is defined as T-MORB: (La/Sm)N ≈ 1.6 and (Ce/Yb)N ≈ 2.3, which is well consistent with compositional variations of modern basaltic lavas in this segment of Mid-Atlantic Ridge, including new data on quenched basaltic glasses.

Modelling the thermal evolution of slow-spreading ridge segments and their off-axis geophysical signature

Systematic studies conducted between 15°N and 40°N over ridge segments along the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) have shown that segment characteristics are related to the thermal state of the segments and gradually vary with their length. This paper presents further developments of a 3-D model, based on the presence of a hot zone located under the segment centres (Gac et al. 2003), to (1) quantify the thermal structures and the geophysical signatures of segments of various lengths, considered as representative of the various MAR segments; (2) test if a simple and single model of thermal evolution can account for the characteristics of all segments and (3) explain the past evolution of the segmentation, as is observed off-axis along the MAR. The modelled thermal structure and three simulated geophysical outputs [crustal structure , along-axis variations of the earthquake maximum depth and the mantle Bouguer gravity anomalies (MBA)] are found to be directly controlled by the shape (geometry and dimensions) of the hot zone. A consistent fit between model outputs and along-axis variations of the geophysical observables over the various segments is obtained by varying solely the length of the hot zone. This result shows that segments of different length may in fact constitute the different stages of a single evolution process: the axial geophysical characteristics of the segment would progressively evolve from those of shorter segments to those of longer ones, as the hot zone lengthens along-axis. A subsequent shortening of the segment would result from a simultaneous shortening of the hot zone, segment characteristics reverting back from those of longer segments to those of shorter ones. Three geophysical fields (topography, gravity and magnetic anomalies) are simulated as the results of the thermal evolution of aligned and offset segments the length of which evolves through time. These simulations succeed in fitting observations for the entire range of observed axis offsets between adjacent MAR segments. The segment evolution produces peculiar off-axis isostatic topography and gravity anomaly (MBA), the rhomb-shaped patterns. Our simulations, which model adjacent offset segments having evolved through several cycles of lengthening and shortening, yield a good fit to the isostatic topography and MBA patterns observed in the off-axis region. Finally, the distribution of magnetization depends on the magnetic properties of each type of rocks and on the petrological structure of the lithosphere, which, in turn, results from its thermal structure and evolution. Modelled magnetic anomalies are shown to be in good agreement with off-axis observations along the N21°40' segment (TAMMAR) of the MAR.