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We have compiled extensive gravity and bathymetry data for the whole Mariana Trough, which were collected during several Japanese scientific cruises over the last few years. This study aims to clarify the lateral distribution of the local differences in geochemical signatures, which have been observed locally in the Mariana Trough. Shipboard free-air gravity anomaly data from eight Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) cruises were compiled with those crossover errors of 2.85 mgal. Mantle Bouguer anomalies (MBA) were calculated by subtracting the predictable gravity signal due to the seawater/crust and crust/mantle density boundaries. The crustal thickness variation along the spreading axis was estimated from the MBA. Different features in crustal thickness, its variation, and segment length for each segment, allow us to identify four distinct regional differences in magmatic activity along the spreading axis of the Mariana Trough. Segment in region A (to the north of 20°35′N) shows the largest sectional dimensions of crust along the axis and it is probably affected by an additional supply from island arc magma sources. A variety of crustal thickness values and of along-axis crustal thickness variations in region B (between 15°38′N and 20°35′N) suggests two types of segments. One is similar to a slow spreading ridge segment that has a plume-like mantle upwelling under the spreading axis, and the other is a magma-starved segment. Region C (between 14°22′N and 15°38′N) is a less magmatic region (individual crustal thickness averages of 3.4–4.1 km). Region D (to the south of 14°22′N) has higher individual crustal thickness averages of 5.9–6.9 km, suggesting higher magmatic activity with a sheet-like mantle upwelling under the spreading axis. Different features in the MBA for off-axis areas suggest that these four regions have existed since the Mariana Trough started spreading. Moreover, comparison between our results of crustal thickness and previous geochemical results indicates that less magmatic spreading segments with thin crust, which are locally distributed in both regions B and C, probably result from mantle source depleted of water and incompatible elements. This suggests that lateral compositional variation of water and incompatible elements exists on a segment scale in the mantle source beneath the spreading axis of the Mariana Trough.

[1] The largest known oceanic detachment terrains occur in Segment B3 of the Australian-Antarctic Discordance (AAD). Using newly collected bathymetry, magnetic, and gravity data, we show that Segment B3 is divided into two contrasting second-order segments. The western subsegment, B3W, is characterized by well-ordered, ridge parallel abyssal hills and low mantle Bouguer gravity anomalies. The eastern subsegment, B3E, displays rough, chaotic morphology and includes several megamullions characterized by high mantle Bouguer gravity anomaly values. The crust is estimated to be thinner by a maximum of 3 km in southern B3E. The combination of chaotic morphology with thinner crust supports the idea that the megamullions are exposed footwalls of oceanic detachments. Megamullion terrains are characterized by higher magnetization than adjacent terrains, most likely as a result of serpentinization of peridotite exposed at the detachment surfaces. Detachment surfaces constitute up to 70% of the total area of both ridge flanks younger than 2 Ma in B3E, indicating that oceanic detachments have played a major role in its development. Spreading in B3E has been extremely asymmetric, with higher apparent rates associated with the large detachment surfaces, where up to 75% of the total extension occurred. Similar asymmetric spreading on oceanic detachments is also recognized in Segment B4, suggesting that this is the dominant mode of extension associated with cold mantle and low magma supply in this deepest part of the AAD, where it is confined to a mere 100-km-long section of the AAD spreading axis.