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Melt generation at volcanic continental margins: No need for a mantle plume?
Author(s) -
Wijk J. W.,
Huismans R. S.,
ter Voorde M.,
Cloetingh S. A. P. L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl012848
Subject(s) - geology , lithosphere , volcano , breakup , mantle (geology) , rift , plume , continental margin , passive margin , thinning , petrology , mantle plume , geophysics , seismology , tectonics , mechanics , physics , ecology , biology , thermodynamics
Melt generation in a rifting environment is studied using a dynamic 2‐D finite element model. The lithosphere is extended to large, realistic thinning factors assuming a mantle temperature of 1333°C. The focussing of deformation results in a distribution of thinning factors along the margin at breakup time consistent with observations. The timing of melt production (late synrift) and the amounts of melt are consistent with observations at volcanic margins. The dynamical processes related to lithospheric rifting enhance the produced melt volumes sufficiently to explain the sometimes enigmatic melt volumes found at volcanic margins.