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Magmatism at rifted continental margins

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Abstract

The intense volcanism and uplift observed on many rifted continental margins, forming basaltic seaward-dipping reflector sequences, is accompanied by the emplacement of a thick igneous section at depth. Partial melting by decompression of passively upwelling asthenosphere that is hotter than normal because it is near a hotspot explains both the thickness of the new igneous crust and the initial elevation of the rifted margins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bullard Laboratories, Department of Earth Sciences, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0EZ, UK

    Robert S. White, George D. Spence, Susan R. Fowler & Dan P. McKenzie

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Birmingham University, PO Box 363, Birmingham, BI5 2TT, UK

    Graham K. Westbrook

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

    Adrian N. Bowen

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White, R., Spence, G., Fowler, S. et al. Magmatism at rifted continental margins. Nature 330, 439–444 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330439a0

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