Elsevier

Tectonophysics

Volume 21, Issues 1–2, January 1974, Pages 15-38
Tectonophysics

Thermal aspects of sea-floor spreading, and the nature of the suboceanic lithosphere

https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(74)90059-6Get rights and content

Abstract

By means of a kinematic model, plate generation at the spreading center is investigated numerically. Petrological differentiation, partial melting with concomittant latent-heat effects, and convection have been taken into consideration. Geothermal gradients are calculated for the suboceanic lithosphere at various distances from the spreading center. The nature of layer 3 is discussed. It is concluded that besides a lateral mineralogical zonation, the suboceanic lithosphere should also display a vertical variation in its chemical composition.

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