Publication Date:
2023-07-21
Description:
〈title xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"〉Abstract〈/title〉〈p xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xml:lang="en"〉Heat flow across oceanic transform faults (TFs) and fracture zones (FZs) has rarely been studied in detail, despite these features representing distinct thermal boundaries within the oceanic lithosphere. Here, we present heat flow measurements across the St Paul fracture zone (SPFZ) in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean, from 48 Ma crust in the south to 71 Ma in the north. To the north of the FZ we find a basal heat flow of 63 mWm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉, and to the south a basal heat flow of 79 mWm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉, both in agreement with plate cooling models. However, within the SPFZ we find a heat flow of 83 mWm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉, greater than the values of the adjacent crust and 10–15 mWm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 higher than predicted from conductive cooling models, suggesting that the thermal structure of the FZ has been modified. Evidence from seismic and sub‐bottom profiler data indicate recent active deformation within the SPFZ, potentially driven by lithospheric flexure across the FZ or temporal changes in TF configuration. We propose that this deformation may enable fluid circulation and heat advection within the basement, creating the seafloor heat flow anomaly within the FZ. These findings suggest that FZs may remain important zones predisposed to host deformation and fluid flow in the oceanic lithosphere, despite not being active plate boundaries.〈/p〉
Description:
Key Points: A high heat flow anomaly of 10–15 mWm〈sup〉−2〈/sup〉 is observed in the St Paul fracture zone compared to the adjacent oceanic crust. The heat flow anomaly is likely due to tectonically driven fluid flow but thermal rejuvenation at the transform fault could also contribute. Fracture zones may act as high permeability pathways for fluid flow, and form and evolve differently to standard oceanic lithosphere.
Description:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659
Description:
FP7 Ideas: European Research Council
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011199
Description:
https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.950419
Description:
https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.950420
Keywords:
ddc:551
;
fracture zone
;
heat flow
;
oceanic crust
;
St Paul
;
fluid flow
;
lithosphere
Language:
English
Type:
doc-type:article
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