Changes in structure and trend of fracture zones north of the Hawaiian Ridge and relation to sea-floor spreading
Abstract
The major east-west fracture zones north of the Hawaiian ridge all undergo marked changes in topography, magnetic characteristics, and trend as they cross a narrow strip extending northwest from 156°W, 21°N to 174°W, 43.5°N. This strip, termed the bending line, marks the location of a major change in the direction of sea-floor spreading in the north Pacific Ocean. Extrapolation of present spreading rates indicates an early Cretaceous age for the bending line. Minor structural features including shear zones and a small fracture zone found in the well-mapped area east of the bending line between the Murray and Pioneer fracture zones may have resulted from the reorientation of spreading centers. Later formation of the Musicians seamounts may have been controlled by a zone of weakness along the bending line.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- March 1970
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB075i008p01421
- Bibcode:
- 1970JGR....75.1421R
- Keywords:
-
- Tectonophysics: Structure of the crust;
- Tectonophysics: Sea-floor spreading;
- Information Related to Geographic Regions: Pacific Ocean