NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
An abrupt change in ridge axis gravity with spreading rateA total of 44 Geosat profiles over ridges with spreading rates ranging from 14 to 155 mm/yr were analyzed. In agreement with previous studies, it is found that slow spreading ridges usually have high amplitude gravity troughs, while fast spreading ridges are characterized by low-amplitude ridge axis highs. Unexpectedly, it is found that the transition from axial trough to axial high occurs abruptly at a spreading rate of 60-70 mm/yr. Ridge axis gravity signatures are highly variable for rates less than 65 mm/yr and very uniform at higher rates. The transition of the gravity signature appears to get more abrupt than the transition of the topographic signature, suggesting an abrupt change in the style of isostatic compensation with spreading rate. Published models of ridge axis dynamics do not explain this sharp transition.
Document ID
19900033509
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Small, Christopher
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Sandwell, David T.
(Texas, University Austin, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
December 10, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 94
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A20564
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-787
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available