Volcanic growth faults and the origin of Pacific abyssal hills
Abstract
The topographic features known as abyssal hills characterize >30% of the ocean floor, and yet their origin has been the subject of vigorous debate for over 40 years. Submersible-based investigations show that Pacific abyssal hills are created on the flanks of the East Pacific Rise as horsts and grabens which lengthen with time. Hills are bounded on one side by ridge-facing scarps produced by normal faulting, and on the other by more gentle slopes produced by volcanic growth faulting.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- March 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1038/380125a0
- Bibcode:
- 1996Natur.380..125M