ISSN:
1573-0581
Keywords:
oceanic heat flow
;
Mexican subduction zone
;
hot trench
;
Eastern Pacific
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract A detailed heat flow study of some areas in the Middle America Trench is attempted. Forty six measurements were obtained in the region between the Tres Marias Islands and the Tehuantepec Ridge. The stations were concentrated in three detailed survey areas and 4 profiles. The obtained data show a steep decrease in the heat flow values towards the southern portion of the trench. The detailed survey area, located in the northern end of the trench (Area 20–1) has the highest heat flow average (122 mW m-2), however a characteristical pattern was observed: most data within the Rivera Plate have higher than average heat flow due to the young age of this plate and contrast with the low values associated with the continental lithosphere of the North America Plate. Areas 20–3 and 20–4 have lower averages (50 and 27 mW m-2 respectively) and they coincide with portions of the Guadalupe Plate, proposed by Klitgord and Mammerickx (1982) and assumed to be older than the Cocos Plate, though magnetic lineations have not been directly correlated with age in those areas.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00286248
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