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Thermal Isotasy in the South Atlantic: A New Approach
Author(s) -
Gibert Dominique,
Courtillot Vincent
Publication year - 1990
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/gl017i003p00251
Subject(s) - geology , bathymetry , geoid , ridge , lithosphere , thermal diffusivity , equator , geophysics , thermal , wavelength , flank , mid ocean ridge , mid atlantic ridge , geodesy , seismology , oceanography , meteorology , latitude , tectonics , paleontology , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , anthropology , sociology , measured depth
We present a new way to estimate the thermal diffusivity and the thickness of the oceanic lithosphere based on admittances computed from geoid and bathymetry profiles which roughly parallel the ridge. This method appears to operate in die medium wave band (500 ‐ 1500 km), and may be of help in remote oceanic areas where only poor bathymetry is available. We apply the method to 32 profiles on each flank of the South Atlantic spreading ridge between the equator and 35°S, and obtain the solution domain for both the plate thickness and the thermal diffusivity Anomalously high admittance values obtained for the west flank (at wavelengths around 700 km) may be due to deeper asthenospheric density heterogeneities.