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Sea-floor spreading as thermal convection

1971; American Geophysical Union; Volume: 76; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1029/jb076i005p01101

2156-2202

Walter M. Elsasser,

High-pressure geophysics and materials

Journal of Geophysical Research (1896-1977)Volume 76, Issue 5 p. 1101-1112 Sea-floor spreading as thermal convection Walter M. Elsasser, Walter M. ElsasserSearch for more papers by this author Walter M. Elsasser, Walter M. ElsasserSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 February 1971 https://doi.org/10.1029/JB076i005p01101Citations: 281AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract The basis of this theoretical paper is the assumption that the asthenosphere is 'soft' enough so that it does not transmit significant horizontal shear stress to the overlying lithosphere. It is pointed out that any thermal mantle convection is likely to have its origin in the cooling of the top layers of the oceanic mantle rather than being due to any heating that may arise farther down. Next, there is geological evidence for the existence of regions that exhibit widespread horizontal tension, e.g., in East Africa. Submarine ridges can justifiably be considered as regions of horizontal tensile stress. In our model, the choice of mechanisms that can generate such stresses is severely limited; the one found to be satisfactory qualitatively and quantitatively arises through the disappearance of pieces of lithosphere, which slide down along the Gutenberg-Benioff fault zones. The lithosphere spreads to fill the gaps created. It is shown that this motion is likely to represent the surficial part of a thermally driven conveetive circulation in the mantle. The nature of the 'return flow' farther down is discussed. Citing Literature Volume76, Issue510 February 1971Pages 1101-1112 RelatedInformation