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Bathymetry and gravity data across a mid‐Cretaceous triple junction trace in the southwest Pacific basin
Author(s) -
Pockalny Robert A.,
Larson Roger L.,
Viso Richard F.,
Abrams Lewis J.
Publication year - 2002
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 - 10.1029/2001gl013517
Subject(s) - triple junction , geology , ridge , bathymetry , seafloor spreading , trough (economics) , volcanism , cretaceous , pacific plate , seismology , paleontology , geophysics , oceanography , tectonics , subduction , economics , macroeconomics
Bathymetry and gravity profiles from the southwest Pacific have been used to locate and characterize the trace of a ridge‐ridge‐ridge triple junction created between ∼84 and ∼120 Ma. In areas free of subsequent volcanism, the triple junction trace is identified by a 1 km‐deep bathymetric trough bordered by seafloor spreading fabric with distinctly different trends. Crustal thickness estimates obtained with gravity models indicate the triple junction trace is often characterized by anomalously thin crust, which may result from relatively low melt production at a triple junction. Crustal thickness estimates follow previously identified spreading rate‐related trends.