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Easter microplate dynamics

dc.contributor.authorNeves, MC
dc.contributor.authorSearle, RC
dc.contributor.authorBott, MHP
dc.date.accessioned2018-12-07T14:52:34Z
dc.date.available2018-12-07T14:52:34Z
dc.date.issued2003-04
dc.description.abstract[1] We use two-dimensional elastic finite element analysis, supplemented by strength estimates, to investigate the driving mechanism of the Easter microplate. Modeled stresses are compared with the stress indicators compiled from earthquake focal mechanisms and structural observations. The objective is to constrain the tectonic forces that govern the Easter microplate rotation and to test the microplate driving hypothesis proposed by Schouten et al. [1993]. We infer that the mantle basal drag cannot drive the microplate rotation but opposes it, and that the asthenospheric viscosity is no more than about 1 x 10(18) Pa s. At most, the basal drag comprises 20% of the force resisting microplate rotation. The outward pull of the main plates can drive the rotation by shear drag applied along the northern and southern boundaries of the microplate. However, we propose an additional driving force which arises from the strong variation of the ridge resistance force along the east and west rifts, so that the main driving torques come from the pull of the major plates acting across the narrowing and slowing rifts. This requires the strength to increase substantially toward the rift tips due to thickening of the brittle lithosphere as the spreading rate slows.
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.identifier.doi10.1029/2001JB000908
dc.identifier.issn2169-9313
dc.identifier.issn2169-9356
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/11125
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherAmerican Geophysical Union
dc.rights.urihttp:creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectMid-Atlantic ridge
dc.subjectIntraplate stress-field
dc.subjectAccreting plate boundaries
dc.subjectPacific rise
dc.subjectMidocean ridges
dc.subjectMicroearthquake characteristics
dc.subjectTectonic evolution
dc.subjectGravity-anomalies
dc.subjectThermal structure
dc.subjectFracture-zones
dc.titleEaster microplate dynamics
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.issueB4
oaire.citation.startPage2213
oaire.citation.titleJournal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth
oaire.citation.volume108
person.familyNameNeves
person.givenNameMaria
person.identifier.ciencia-idF016-4214-4A45
person.identifier.orcid0000-0001-5726-3467
person.identifier.ridA-7703-2013
person.identifier.scopus-author-id7103415176
rcaap.rightsopenAccess
rcaap.typearticle
relation.isAuthorOfPublication5aa08a50-0e64-4d5d-acd6-d817b92e74c5
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery5aa08a50-0e64-4d5d-acd6-d817b92e74c5

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