Characteristics and evolution of the segmentation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 20 degree N and 24 degree N during the last 10 million years

• Published in: Earth and planetary science letters Vol. 129; no. 1-4; pp. 55 - 71
• Main Authors: Gente, P, Pockalny, R A, Durand, C, Deplus, C, Maia, M, Ceuleneer, G, Mevel, C, Cannat, M, Laverne, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.1995
• Subjects: Marine; AS, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
• ISSN: 0012-821X

High-resolution bathymetry and geophysical data collected along the slow-spreading axis and flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 20 degree N and 24 degree N reveal the characteristics and history of different wavelengths of segmentation during the last 10 m.y. The bathymetric data exhibit a morphotectonic pattern dominated by ridge-normal and oblique bathymetric lows that partition the ridge flanks into rhomb-shaped areas of relatively high elevation. At least four different types of oblique bathymetric lows have been identified which represent the off-axis traces of axial discontinuities and suggest a complex and ongoing evolution of ridge-axis segmentation. The ridge-flank morphotectonic patterns produced by the evolution of these elementary segments of accretion may represent temporally variable upwelling volumes of melt.