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Thermally induced residual topography within oceanic lithosphere

Nature volume 318, pages 527–532 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

The lithosphere, following a thermal event, should subside isostatically to its pre-event configuration. However, if the thermal event is sufficient to reset the rigidity of the lithosphere, then the subsidence is forced to follow a different path to the initial uplift; lithospheric rigidity decrease during uplift allows flexural deformation resetting, while during subsidence, an increasing rigidity with time results in flexural interference. This ‘thermo-mechanical hysteresis‘ effect may be responsible for anomalous bathymetry and free-air gravity anomalies associated with hotspot traces, extinct spreading centres and the ocean/continent boundary of rifted (passive continental) margins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Garry D. Karner

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  1. Garry D. Karner
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Karner, G. Thermally induced residual topography within oceanic lithosphere. Nature 318, 527–532 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/318527a0

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