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Thermal stresses, differential subsidence, and flexure at oceanic fracture zonesGeosat geoid undulations over four Pacific fracture zones have been analyzed. After correcting for the isostatic thermal edge effect, the amplitudes of the residuals are shown to be proportional to the age offset. The shape of the residuals seems to broaden with increasing age. Both geoid anomalies and available ship bathymetry data suggest that slip must sometimes occur on the main fracture zone or secondary faults. Existing models for flexure at fracture zones cannot explain the observed anomalies. A combination model accounting for slip and including flexure from thermal stresses and differential subsidence is presented. This model accounts for lateral variations in flexural rigidity from brittle and ductile yielding due to both thermal and flexural stresses and explains both the amplitudes and the shape of the anomalies along each fracture zone. The best fitting models have mechanical plate thicknesses that are described by the depth to the 600-700 C isotherms.
Document ID
19900035898
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Wessel, Pal
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY, United States)
Haxby, William F.
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 10, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 95
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A22953
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF OCE-85-11011
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1136
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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