Quick Search:    advanced search

GSW Home   GeoRef Home   My GSW Alerts   Contact GSW   About GSW   Journals List   Help

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chian, D. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Deep structure in the vicinity of the ocean-continent transition zone under the southern Iberia Abyssal Plain

¹ No affiliation available
² Bullard Laboratories, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EZ, United Kingdom
³ Challenger Division, Southampton Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
⁴ Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE
⁵ Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada.
⁶ Author for correspondence: Whitmarsh and Minshull.

We present results from a seismic and magnetic study of acoustic basement beneath the southern Iberia Abyssal Plain. An ocean-continent transition zone (OCT), characterized by subdued basement relief and weak magnetization, lies seaward of thinned continental crust. Its western edge is a region with isochron-parallel ridges and generally higher basement magnetizations. The width of the OCT decreases to the north. The seaward change in basement morphology coincides with changes in seismic velocity structure, but in both regions, anomalously high velocities at shallow depths within acoustic basement suggest that the OCT consists largely of serpentinized peridotite. Our magnetic and seismic data support the hypothesis of exhumed upper mantle, more than that of ultraslow sea-floor spreading, for the origin of the OCT.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Peron-Pinvidic, G. Manatschal, S. M. Dean, and T. A. Minshull Compressional structures on the West Iberia rifted margin: controls on their distribution Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2008; 306(1): 169 - 183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Tucholke, D. S. Sawyer, and J.-C. Sibuet Breakup of the Newfoundland Iberia rift Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 282(1): 9 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Harry and S. Grandell A dynamic model of rifting between Galicia Bank and Flemish Cap during the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 282(1): 157 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. Reston, T.J. Reston, V. Gaw, J. Pennell, D. Klaeschen, A. Stubenrauch, and I. Walker Extreme crustal thinning in the south Porcupine Basin and the nature of the Porcupine Median High: implications for the formation of non-volcanic rifted margins Journal of the Geological Society, September 1, 2004; 161(5): 783 - 798. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Sayers, P. A. Symonds, N. G. Direen, and G. Bernardel Nature of the continent-ocean transition on the non-volcanic rifted margin of the central Great Australian Bight Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 51 - 76. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A. Chalmers and T.C.R. Pulvertaft Development of the continental margins of the Labrador Sea: a review Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 77 - 105. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R.B. Whitmarsh, T.A. Minshull, S.M. Russell, S.M. Dean, K.E. Louden, and D. Chian The role of syn-rift magmatism in the rift-to-drift evolution of the West Iberia continental margin: geophysical observations Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 107 - 124. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Manatschal, N. Froitzheim, M. Rubenach, and B.D. Turrin The role of detachment faulting in the formation of an ocean-continent transition: insights from the Iberia Abyssal Plain Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 405 - 428. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. C. Bowling and D. L. Harry Geodynamic models of continental extension and the formation of non-volcanic rifted continental margins Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 511 - 536. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T.A. Minshull, S.M. Dean, R.S. White, and R.B. Whitmarsh Anomalous melt production after continental break-up in the southern Iberia Abyssal Plain Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 537 - 550. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Perez-Gussinye, T.J. Reston, and J. Phipps Morgan Serpentinization and magmatism during extension at non-volcanic margins: the effect of initial lithospheric structure Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2001; 187(1): 551 - 576. [Abstract] [PDF]