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An abrupt change in ridge axis gravity with spreading rate
- Source :
- Journal of Geophysical Research. 94
- Publication Year :
- 1989
- Publisher :
- United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1989.
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Abstract
- A total of 44 Geosat profiles over ridges with spreading rates ranging from 14 to 155 mm/yr were analyzed. In agreement with previous studies, it is found that slow spreading ridges usually have high amplitude gravity troughs, while fast spreading ridges are characterized by low-amplitude ridge axis highs. Unexpectedly, it is found that the transition from axial trough to axial high occurs abruptly at a spreading rate of 60-70 mm/yr. Ridge axis gravity signatures are highly variable for rates less than 65 mm/yr and very uniform at higher rates. The transition of the gravity signature appears to get more abrupt than the transition of the topographic signature, suggesting an abrupt change in the style of isostatic compensation with spreading rate. Published models of ridge axis dynamics do not explain this sharp transition.
- Subjects :
- Geophysics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01480227
- Volume :
- 94
- Database :
- NASA Technical Reports
- Journal :
- Journal of Geophysical Research
- Notes :
- NAG5-787
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsnas.19900033509
- Document Type :
- Report