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Mantle exhumation at magma-poor rifted margins controlled by frictional shear zones

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  • Thomas Theunissen

    (University of Bergen)

  • Ritske S. Huismans

    (University of Bergen)

Abstract

The transition zone from continental crust to the mature mid-ocean ridge spreading center of the Iberia-Newfoundland magma-poor rifted margins is mostly composed of exhumed mantle characterized by highs and domes with varying elevation, spacing and shape. The mechanism controlling strain localization and fault migration explaining the geometry of these peridotite ridges is poorly understood. Here we show using forward geodynamic models that multiple out-of-sequence detachments with recurring dip reversal form during magma-poor rifting and mantle exhumation as a consequence of the strength competition between weak frictional-plastic shear zones and the thermally weakened necking domain beneath the exhuming footwall explaining geometry of these peridotite ridges. Model behaviour also shows that fault types and detachment styles vary with spreading rate and fault strength and confirm that these results can be compared to other magma poor passive margins such as along Antarctica-Australia and to ultra-slow mid-ocean spreading systems as the South-West Indian Ridge.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Theunissen & Ritske S. Huismans, 2022. "Mantle exhumation at magma-poor rifted margins controlled by frictional shear zones," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29058-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29058-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sascha Brune & Simon E. Williams & Nathaniel P. Butterworth & R. Dietmar Müller, 2016. "Abrupt plate accelerations shape rifted continental margins," Nature, Nature, vol. 536(7615), pages 201-204, August.
    2. Ritske Huismans & Christopher Beaumont, 2011. "Depth-dependent extension, two-stage breakup and cratonic underplating at rifted margins," Nature, Nature, vol. 473(7345), pages 74-78, May.
    3. J. Escartín & D. K. Smith & J. Cann & H. Schouten & C. H. Langmuir & S. Escrig, 2008. "Central role of detachment faults in accretion of slow-spreading oceanic lithosphere," Nature, Nature, vol. 455(7214), pages 790-794, October.
    4. W. Roger Buck & Luc L. Lavier & Alexei N. B. Poliakov, 2005. "Modes of faulting at mid-ocean ridges," Nature, Nature, vol. 434(7034), pages 719-723, April.
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