Open AccessRapid continental breakup and microcontinent formation in the western Indian Ocean
Author(s) -
Collier J. S.,
Minshull T. A.,
Kendall J.M.,
Whitmarsh R. B.,
Rümpker G.,
Joseph P.,
Samson P.,
Lane C. I.,
Sansom V.,
Vermeesch P. M.,
Hammond J.,
Wookey J.,
Teanby N.,
Ryberg T.,
Dean S. M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2004eo460001
Subject(s) - seafloor spreading , geology , lithosphere , precambrian , continental margin , ridge , magmatism , pangaea , breakup , margin (machine learning) , passive margin , paleontology , rift , earth science , tectonics , physics , structural basin , machine learning , permian , mechanics , computer science
Two of the main factors that determine the nature of a rifted continental margin are rheology and magmatism during extension. Numerical models of lithospheric extension suggest that both factors vary with extension rate; yet until now extension rates of studied margins, as indicated by the rate of initial seafloor spreading, are mostly less than ‐30 mm/yr on each margin. This article presents the first geophysical results from the Seychelles‐Laxmi Ridge conjugate pair of rifted margins which separated at ‐65 mm/yr. The Seychelles, with its spectacular exposures of Precambrian granite, was the earliest scientifically recognized microcontinent and arguably remains the classic example of one [ Wegener, 1924; Matthews and Davies, 1966]. However, it is still unknown whether microcontinents result from plumes, changes in plate‐boundary forces, lithospheric heterogeneity, or a combination of these factors.