Abstract
Examination of oceanic seismic refraction results indicates a correlation between total crustal thickness and spreading rate, with slower spreading producing thinner crust. The effect is seen at spreading rates less than about 20 mm yr−1. The crustal thickness and its dependence on spreading rate are predicted by theoretical modelling of flow and melting beneath mid-ocean ridges.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahern, J. L. and Turcotte, D. L.: 1979, ‘Magma Migration Beneath an Ocean Ridge’, Earth Planet Sci., Lett. 45, 115–122.
Barrett, D. L. and Purdy, G. M.: 1979, ‘IPOD Survey Area at -6: Seismic Refraction Results’, Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project 45, 49–53.
Batchelor, G. K.: 1967, An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press.
Bottinga, Y. and Allegre, C. J.: 1978, ‘Partial Melting Under Spreading Ridges’, Phil. Trans. Roy Soc. Lond. A. 288, 501–525.
Bunch, A. W. B.: 1980, ‘Crustal Development of the Reykjanes Ridge from Seismic Refraction’, J. Geophysics. 47, 261–264.
Clowes, R. M. and Malacek, S. F.: 1976, ‘Preliminary Interpretation of a Marine Deep Seismic Sounding Survey in the Region of Explorer Ridge’, Can. J. Earth Sci. 13, 1545–1555.
Davies, E. E., Lister, C. R. B., and Lewis, B. T. R.: 1976, ‘Seismic Structure of the Juan de Fuca Ridge: Ocean Bottom Seismometer Results from the Median Valley’, J. Geophysics Res. 81, 3541–3555.
Detrick, R. S. and Purdy, G. M.: 1980 ‘The Crustal Structure of the Kane Fracture Zone from Seismic Refraction Studies’, J. Geophysics Res. 85, 3759–3777.
Duncan, R. A. and Green, D. H.: 1980, ‘Role of Multistage Melting in the Formation of Oceanic Crust’, Geology 8, 22–26.
Fowler, C. M. R.: 1976, ‘Crustal Structure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Crest at 37°N,’ Geophysics. J. R. Roy. Ast. Soc. 47, 459–491.
Francis, T. J. G. and Shor, G. G.: 1966, ‘Seismic Refraction Measurements in the Northwest Indian Ocean’, J. Geophysics Res. 71, 427–448.
Francis, T. J. G. and Shor, G. G.: 1967, ‘Seismic Refraction Measurements in the Southern Indian Ocean’, J. Geophysics Res. 72, 3015–3041.
Goldflan, P., Weigel, W., and Loncarevic, B. D.: 1980, ‘Seismic Structure along RRISP — Profile 1 on the Southwest Flank of the Reykjanes Ridge’, J. Geophysics Res. 47, 250–260.
Goslin, J., Beuzart, P., Francheteau, J., and LePichon, X.: 1973, ‘Thickening of the Oceanic Layer in the Pacific Ocean’, Mar. Geophys. Res. 1, 418–427.
Jackson, H. R., Keen, C. E., Falconer, R. K. H., and Appleton, K. P.: 1979, ‘New Geophysical Evidence for Sea-Floor Spreading in Central Baffin Bay’, Can. J. Earth Sci. 16, 2122–2135.
Jackson, H. R. and Reid, I.: 1980, ‘Crustal Refraction and Seismic Reflection Results from FRAM 1’, (abst.) Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, EOS 61, 276.
Keen, C. E. and Tramontini, C.: 1970, ‘A Seismic Refraction Survey on the MidAtlantic Ridge’, Geophysics. J. Roy Astr. Soc. 20, 473–491.
Kusznir, N. J.: 1980, ‘Thermal Evolution of the Oceanic Crust, Its Dependence on Spreading Rate and Effect on Crustal Structure’, Geophysics J. Roy Astr. Soc. 61, 167–181.
Lewis, B. T. R. and Snydsman, W. E.: 1979, ‘Fine Structure of the Lower Oceanic Crust on the Cocos Plate’, Tectonophysics 55, 87–105.
McConnell, R. K., Gupta, R. N., and Wilson, J. T.: 1966, ‘Compilation of Deep Crustal Seismic Refraction Profiles’, Rev. Geophys. 3, 41–107.
McKenzie, D. P.: 1967, ‘Some Remarks on Heat Flow and Gravity Anomalies’, J. Geophys. Res. 72, 6261–6273.
Minster, J. B., Jordan, T. H., Molnar, P., and Haines, E.: 1974, ‘Numerical Modelling of Instantaneous Plate Tectonics’, Geophys. J. Roy Astr. Soc. 36, 541–576.
Olson, P. and Corcos, G. M.: 1980, ‘A Boundary Layer Model for Mantle Convection with Surface Plates’, Geophys. J. Roy Astr. Soc. 62, 195–219.
Orcutt, J. A. and Dorman, L. M.: 1977, ‘An Oceanic Long Range Explosion Experiment’, Geophysics 43, 257–263.
Parker, R. L. and Oldenburg, D. W.: 1973, ‘Thermal Model of Ocean Ridges’, Nature Phys. Sci. 242, 137–139.
Parsons, B. and Sclater, J. G.: 1977, ‘An Analysis of the Variation of Ocean Floor Bathymetry and Heat Flow with Age’, J. Geophys. Res. 82, 803–827.
Ringwood, A. E.: 1975, Composition and Petrology of the Earth's Mantle, McGraw Hill, New York.
Sclater, J. G., Anderson, R. N., and Bell, M. L.: 1971, ‘Elevation of Ridge and Evolution of the Central Eastern Pacific’, J. Geophys. Res. 76, 7888–7915.
Sclater, J. G., Crowe, J., and Anderson, R. N.: 1976, ‘On the Reliability of Heat Flow Averages’, J. Geophys. Res. 81, 2997–3006.
Shor, G. G., Menard, H. W., and Raitt, R. W.: 1970, ‘Structure of the Pacific Basin’, in A. G. Maxwell (ed.), The Sea 4, John Wiley and Sons, New York.
Sleep, N. H. and Rosendahl, B. R.: 1979, ‘Topography and Tectonics of Mid-Oceanic Ridge Axes’, J. Geophys. Res. 84, 6831–6839.
Spudich, P. and Orcutt, J. A.: 1980, ‘A New Look at the Seismic Vebocity Structure of the Oceanic Crust’, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 18, 627–645.
Vogt, P. R., Taylor, P. T., Kovacs, L. C., and Johnson, G. L.: 1979, ‘A Detailed Aeromagnetic Survey of the Arctic Basin’, J. Geophys. Res. 84, 1071–1088.
Woollard, G. P.: 1975, ‘The Interrelationships of Crustal and Upper Mantle Parameter Values in the Pacific’, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 13, 87–137.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reid, I., Jackson, H.R. Oceanic spreading rate and crustal thickness. Marine Geophysical Researches 5, 165–172 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163477
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163477