Editors: Martin A. Menzies, Simon L. Klemperer, Cynthia J. Ebinger, and Joel Baker

This volume covers many aspects of the formation of volcanic rifted margins using data from geology, geochronology, geochemistry, and geophysics. Major breakthroughs in the future will largely depend on a broader integration of all of these disciplines. Volcanic rifted margins result from an inextricable link between continental break-up, magmatism, uplift, and erosion during the formation of new ocean basins. They comprise flood basalt provinces, high-velocity lower crust, and a seaward-dipping reflector series. In the formation of volcanic rifted margins, considerable controversy surrounds the role of plumes, edge effects, basement lineaments and lithospheric architecture. Timing is vital to our understanding of rift processes and Ar geochronology can help constrain magmatism and extension. On the Red Sea and Madagascar-India volcanic rifted margins, geochemical data are used to investigate the contribution from the lower lithospheric mantle, the asthenosphere and plumes. Felsic-silicic volcanic rocks in large igneous provinces may have formed by short-lived, high-volume, and highly explosive eruptions, with concomitant biosphere effects. On the Atlantic volcanic rifted margins, broad databases are used to understand the switch from tectonic to magmatic extension, the match of conjugate margins, the age of seaward-dipping reflector series and the nature of the high-velocity lower crust.

[ Table of Contents ]

Published: 10/25/2002

ISBN Number: 0813723620

Pages: 230

Product Category: EBooks