Open AccessThree‐dimensional seismic structure of the Dragon Flag oceanic core complex at the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (49°39′E)
Author(s) -
Zhao Minghui,
Qiu Xuelin,
Li Jiabiao,
Sauter Daniel,
Ruan Aiguo,
Chen John,
Cannat Mathilde,
Singh Satish,
Zhang Jiazheng,
Wu Zhenli,
Niu Xiongwei
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1002/ggge.20264
Subject(s) - geology , ridge , seismology , mid ocean ridge , hydrothermal circulation , seafloor spreading , crust , detachment fault , bathymetry , oceanic crust , seismometer , inversion (geology) , tectonics , geophysics , subduction , paleontology , oceanography , extensional definition
The Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) is an ultraslow spreading end‐member of mid‐ocean ridge system. We use air gun shooting data recorded by ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) and multibeam bathymetry to obtain a detailed three‐dimensional (3‐D) P wave tomographic model centered at 49°39′E near the active hydrothermal “Dragon Flag” vent. Results are presented in the form of a 3‐D seismic traveltime inversion over the center and both ends of a ridge segment. We show that the crustal thickness, defined as the depth to the 7 km/s isovelocity contour, decreases systematically from the center (∼7.0–8.0 km) toward the segment ends (∼3.0–4.0 km). This variation is dominantly controlled by thickness changes in the lower crustal layer. We interpret this variation as due to focusing of the magmatic activity at the segment center. The across‐axis velocity model documents a strong asymmetrical structure involving oceanic detachment faulting. A locally corrugated oceanic core complex (Dragon Flag OCC) on the southern ridge flank is characterized by high shallow crustal velocities and a strong vertical velocity gradient. We infer that this OCC may be predominantly made of gabbros. We suggest that detachment faulting is a prominent process of slow spreading oceanic crust accretion even in magmatically robust ridge sections. Hydrothermal activity at the Dragon Flag vents is located next to the detachment fault termination. We infer that the detachment fault system provides a pathway for hydrothermal convection.