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Increased Estimate for Heat Flow at Oceanic Ridges

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Abstract

THE theory of ocean floor spreading requires that oceanic crust be generated at mid-ocean ridges. Evidence from a variety of sources suggests that the new crust is made largely of basalt and gabbro, and their low-grade metamorphic equivalents1,2, formed by igneous activity close to the ridge axis. If the rate of spreading and the thickness of the crust are known, the rate of heat transfer to the surface by magmas during crust formation in the axial zone of the ridge can be estimated. It is of interest to compare this rate with the heat flux actually measured on oceanic ridges.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Parks Road, Oxford

    E. R. OXBURGH

  2. Graduate School of Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

    D. L. TURCOTTE

Authors
  1. E. R. OXBURGH
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  2. D. L. TURCOTTE
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OXBURGH, E., TURCOTTE, D. Increased Estimate for Heat Flow at Oceanic Ridges. Nature 223, 1354–1355 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/2231354a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2231354a0

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