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Oxford University Press, Geophysical Journal International, 2(159), p. 591-606, 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-246x.2004.02444.x

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Geometry of extensional faults developed at slow-spreading centres from pre-stack depth migration of seismic reflection data in the Central Atlantic (Canary Basin)

Journal article published in 2004 by T. J. Reston, C. R. Ranero, O. Ruoff, M. Perez Gussinye ORCID, J. J. Dañobeitia
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

We present depth images, from portions of profiles that are close to flow-lines, of Cretaceous oceanic crust in the eastern Central Atlantic. Compared with post-stack time migrations, the images illustrate the improvement resulting from the application of pre-stack depth migration. The images document the scale and geometry of normal faulting in oceanic crust formed over 25 Myr at a half-spreading rate of less than 10 mm yr-1, and the variation in extensional style with position within the spreading segment. Away from major fault zones (FZs), most faults are subplanar, dip more than 35°, are associated with moderate basement relief (0.2-1 km relief) and may penetrate to deep crustal levels. These faults could be related to the lifting of the lithosphere out of the median valley to the flanking mountains. Also observed away from FZs are gently dipping to subhorizontal reflections in the upper crust, which resemble detachment faults. In contrast, the inside corner crust is more rugged, with basement highs rising up to 2 km above the intervening basins. This larger-scale topography is associated with a different style of faulting: the depth images reveal gently dipping (