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Physical characteristics and evolutionary trends of continental riftsRifts may be defined as zones beneath which the entire lithosphere has ruptured in extension. They are widespread and occur in a variety of tectonic settings, and range up to 2,600 m.y. in age. The object of this review is to highlight characteristic features of modern and ancient rifts, to emphasize differences and similarities in order to help characterize evolutionary trends, to identify physical conditions favorable for initiation as well as termination of rifting, and to provide constraints for future modeling studies of rifting. Rifts are characterized on the basis of their structural, geomorphic, magmatic and geophysical features and the diverse character of these features and their evolutionary trends through time are discussed. Mechanisms of rifting are critically examined in terms of the physical characteristics and evolutionary trends of rifts, and it is concluded that while simple models can give valuable insight into specific processes of rifting, individual rifts can rarely, if ever, be characterized by well defined trends predicted by these models. More data are required to clearly define evolutionary trends, and the models require development to incorporate the effects of lithospheric heterogeneities and complex geologic histories.
Document ID
19850036943
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ramberg, I. B.
(Oslo, Universitetet Oslo, Norway)
Morgan, P.
(Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Tectonics
Volume: 7
ISSN: 0278-7407
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
85A19094
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-3389
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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