Tectono-Magmatic Evolution of the South Atlantic Continental Margins with Respect to Opening of the Ocean

The history of the opening of the South Atlantic in Early Cretaceous time is considered. It is shown that the determining role for continental breakup preparation has been played by tectono-magmatic events within the limits of the distal margins that developed above the plume head. The formation of the Rio Grande Rise–Walvis Ridge volcanic system along the trace of the hot spot is considered. The magmatism in the South Atlantic margins, its sources, and changes in composition during the evolution are described. On the basis of petrogeochemical data, the peculiarities of rocks with a continental signature are shown. Based on Pb–Sr–Nd isotopic studies, it is found that the manifestations of magmatism in the proximal margins had features of enriched components related to the EM I and EM II sources, sometimes with certain participation of the HIMU source. Within the limits of the Walvis Ridge, as magmatism expanded to the newly formed oceanic crust, the participation of depleted asthenospheric mantle became larger in the composition of magmas. The role played by the Tristan plume in magma generation is discussed: it is the most considered as the heat source that determined the melting of the ancient enriched lithosphere. The specifics of the tectono-magmatic evolution of the South Atlantic is pointed out: the origination during spreading of a number of hot spots above the periphery of the African superplume. The diachronous character of the opening of the ocean is considered in the context of northward progradation of the breakup line and its connection with the northern branch of the Atlantic Ocean in the Mid-Cretaceous.     

Development peculiarities of the magmatism synchronous to the formation of the North Atlantic passive margins

Magmatism synchronous to the formation of passive margins of the North Atlantic is discussed. The main features and causes of the geochemical enrichment of the primary magmas at the margins have been established. This paper is based on the published data on the Norwegian-Greenland tectonotype of volcanic margins and the West Iberia-Newfoundland tectonotype of nonvolcanic margins. In the first tectonotype the hot rifting and active magmatism gave rise to the formation of a thick crust at the margin and the adjacent oceanic zone. The second tectonotype is characterized by cold amagmatic rifting and slow initial spreading, which led to the widespread occurrence of ancient continental complexes and serpentinized mantle rocks at the margin, as well as the thin and disturbed oceanic crust nearby. In order to characterize the magmatism and initial oceanic opening, the geological and geochemical data pertaining to the reference sections chosen for each margin were compared in detail. In particular, the geochemical and isotopic data on the flood basalts and suites of parallel dikes related to the pre- and synbreakup magmatic phases were involved for the Norwegian-Greenland region. The predominance of tholeiites enriched in lithophile elements and radiogenic isotopes, as well as a significant contribution of continental material to them, are typical of the volcanic margins. No less than two enriched magma sources for the lower part of the volcanic complex are suggested, whereas a depleted or slightly enriched source is established for the upper part. A more enriched source as compared with the volcanic margins of the Norwegian-Greenland region is suggested for the low-volume magmatic manifestations at the nonvolcanic Iberian margin. The tectonic settings of margins development and their relationships with the effect of deep plumes and the propagation of the extension zone toward the cold Atlantic lithosphere are discussed.     

Tectonotype of volcanic passive margins in the Norwegian-Greenland region

A tectonotype of volcanic passive margins exemplified in the conjugate Norwegian and East Greenland margins is considered, with discussion of the Paleogene igneous complexes and the regional rift structure before continental breakup. Fragments of asymmetrical rift have been retained on both sides of the ocean. Large Cretaceous pre-rift sedimentation basins marking the initial stage of the ocean opening are included into the passive margin as well. The continental breakup was accompanied by intense basaltic magmatism over a short time span. This magmatic episode was distinguished by (1) the formation of widespread plateau-basalt complexes on continents and in near-shore areas of the ocean; (2) the development of thick lava series that are recorded in seaward dipping reflector wedges; (3) thick high-velocity lower crust, resulting from magmatic underplating; (4) asymmetrical accretion of the crust and structure formation. The discussion is based on published seismic data and reference sections selected for each margin with consideration of the composition and thickness of the igneous rocks, their lateral variations, source composition, and eruption and crust formation conditions. The characteristic feature of both sections is the two-member structure of volcanic complexes with substantial geochemical differences between the rocks from the lower and upper parts of the section, which correspond to the pre-breakup and breakup phases. At the initial phase, small magma volumes were melted out from the lithosphere. The geochemical signatures of the upper parts of the sections testify to the melting of the asthenospheric mantle. Their spatiotemporal variations reflect the ascent and melting of the deep plume, which was active during and after continental breakup. In the Greenland area, near the central part of the plume, a N-MORB-type mantle magma source gave way to a depleted Iceland-type mantle, while apart from the central part of the plume, its effect is expressed only in the enormous volume of mantle-derived melt without migration of its source. A variety of evidence is provided for the plume’s activity: the great thickness of the volcanic complexes and the relatively stable composition of the melt; the elevated temperature in the mantle; the specific geochemistry of the breakup-related lavas and their lateral zoning; conclusions on the necessity of dynamic support of volcanic eruptions; and recent results of seismographic tomography. The continental breakup inherited a system of older sedimentary basins in the zone of prolonged extension of the lithosphere in the North Atlantic. The continuous dynamic support of extension was most likely provided by long-term ascent of the Iceland plume. The comparison of the considered tectonotype with other volcanic and non-volcanic margins opens the way to further elucidation of the geodynamic processes responsible for the ocean opening.     

Passive margins of the North and Central Atlantic: A comparative study

The main features of the volcanic and nonvolcanic passive margins of the North and Central Atlantic are considered. The margins are compared using rather well-studied reference tectonotypes as examples. The conjugate margins of the Norwegian-Greenland region and the margins of West Iberia and Newfoundland are chosen as tectonotypes of volcanic and nonvolcanic margins, respectively. The structural and magmatic features of the margins and their preceding history are discussed. A complex of interrelated attributes is shown for each tectonotype. The Norwegian-Greenland region close to the Iceland plume is distinguished by narrow zones of stretched continental crust, rapid localization of stretching with breakup of the continent, a high rate of subsequent spreading, and intense magmatism with the formation of a thick new crust at the margin and the adjacent oceanic zone. The Iberia-Newfoundland region, remote from the plumes, is characterized by wide zones of stretched continental crust, long-term and diachronous prebreakup extension propagating northward, extremely restricted mantle melting during rifting and initial spreading, and frequent occurrence of ancient crustal complexes and serpentinized mantle rocks at the margin. Crustal faults and a thin tectonized oceanic crust appear along the margin under conditions of slow spreading. A model of hot and fast spreading with a high degree of melting in the mantle is applicable to the Norwegian-Greenland region, whereas a model of cold and slow amagmatic rifting with a long pre-breakup stretching and thinning of the lithosphere is appropriate to the Iberia-Newfoundland margins. The differences in the development of the margins is determined by the interaction of many factors: deep temperature, rheology of the underlying lithosphere, heterogeneities in the previously formed crust, and the duration and rate of stretching. All of these factors can be related to the effect of deep plumes and propagation of the extension zone toward the segments of the cold Atlantic lithosphere. Both types of margins also reveal similar features, in particular asymmetry. It is suggested that the rotation forces superimposed on the general tectonomagmatic pattern controlled by plumes could have been the cause of structural asymmetry.     

Wilson cycle passive margins: Control of orogenic inheritance on continental breakup

Rifts and passive margins often develop along old suture zones where colliding continents merged during earlier phases of the Wilson cycle. For example, the North Atlantic formed after continental break-up along sutures formed during the Caledonian and Variscan orogenies. Even though such tectonic inheritance is generally appreciated, causative physical mechanisms that affect the localization and evolution of rifts and passive margins are not well understood.We use thermo-mechanical modeling to assess the role of orogenic structures during rifting and continental breakup. Such inherited structures include: 1) Thickened crust, 2) eclogitized oceanic crust emplaced in the mantle lithosphere, and 3) mantle wedge of hydrated peridotite (serpentinite).Our models indicate that the presence of inherited structures not only defines the location of rifting upon extension, but also imposes a control on their structural and magmatic evolution. For example, rifts developing in thin initial crust can preserve large amounts of orogenic serpentinite. This facilitates rapid continental breakup, exhumation of hydrated mantle prior to the onset of magmatism. On the contrary, rifts in thicker crust develop more focused thinning in the mantle lithosphere rather than in the crust, and continental breakup is therefore preceded by magmatism. This implies that whether passive margins become magma-poor or magma-rich, respectively, is a function of pre-rift orogenic properties.The models show that structures of orogenic eclogite and hydrated mantle are partially preserved during rifting and are emplaced either at the base of the thinned crust or within the lithospheric mantle as dipping structures. The former provides an alternative interpretation of numerous observations of ‘lower crustal bodies’ which are often regarded as igneous bodies. The latter is consistent with dipping sub-Moho reflectors often observed in passive margins.     

大陆解体与被动陆缘的演化

火山型被动陆缘是大陆解体过程中形成的一类陆缘类型,其演化过程与活动陆缘一样复杂多变。随着近年来对大陆解体过程与被动陆缘演化的深入研究,对其沉积过程、岩浆活动以及变质作用研究都有了很大的进展。陆壳减薄解体的过程有许多不同的模式,不对称的简单剪切模式可能是火山型被动陆缘的成因,其机制是软流圈隆起的最大位置从剖面上看与地壳减薄最大位置不在一条垂线上,造成软流圈上升的岩浆在解体的大陆一侧形成火山型被动陆缘。被动陆缘的沉积建造由两套沉积物组成,一套是大陆解体的裂谷阶段所形成的陆相沉积物和双模式火山岩组合,另一套是稳定陆缘的复理石组合;岩浆作用中基性岩类反应了物质直接源于上地幔的主要特点,并有部分受到地壳混染的特征;变质作用中高温低压环境主要发生在裂谷作用阶段,其特点反映了大陆解体过程中随着时间的增温和减压过程,而拆离伸展阶段则被脆性变形所代替。     

Volcanic passive margins

Compared to non-volcanic ones, volcanic passive margins mark continental break-up over a hotter mantle, probably subject to small-scale convection. They present distinctive genetic and structural features. High-rate extension of the lithosphere is associated with catastrophic mantle melting responsible for the accretion of a thick igneous crust. Distinctive structural features of volcanic margins are syn-magmatic and continentward-dipping crustal faults accommodating the seaward flexure of the igneous crust. Volcanic margins present along-axis a magmatic and tectonic segmentation with wavelength similar to adjacent slow-spreading ridges. Their 3D organisation suggests a connection between loci of mantle melting at depths and zones of strain concentration within the lithosphere. Break-up would start and propagate from localized thermally-softened lithospheric zones. These ‘soft points’ could be localized over small-scale convection cells found at the bottom of the lithosphere, where adiabatic mantle melting would specifically occur. The particular structure of the brittle crust at volcanic passive margins could be interpreted by active and sudden oceanward flow of both the unstable hot mantle and the ductile part of the lithosphere during the break-up stage. To cite this article: L. Geoffroy, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Magmatism at continental passive margins inferred from Ambient‐Noise Phase‐velocity in the Gulf of Aden

Non‐volcanic continental passive margins have traditionally been considered to be tectonically and magmatically inactive once continental breakup has occurred and seafloor spreading has commenced. We use ambient‐noise tomography to constrain Rayleigh‐wave phase‐velocity maps beneath the eastern Gulf of Aden (eastern Yemen and southern Oman). In the crust, we image low velocities beneath the Jiza‐Qamar (Yemen) and Ashawq‐Salalah (Oman) basins, likely caused by the presence of partial melt associated with magmatic plumbing systems beneath the rifted margin. Our results provide strong evidence that magma intrusion persists after breakup, modifying the composition and thermal structure of the continental margin. The coincidence between zones of crustal intrusion and steep gradients in lithospheric thinning, as well as with transform faults, suggests that magmatism post‐breakup may be driven by small‐scale convection and enhanced by edge‐driven flow at the juxtaposition of lithosphere of varying thickness and thermal age.     

南海北部洋-陆过渡带深部结构与岩石圈破裂过程

洋-陆过渡带是理解大陆岩石圈破裂和海底初始扩张的关键位置,但是在南海北部地区仍然存在关于相关地质过程的诸多疑问.通过近年开展的国际大洋发现计划航次以及深部地质地球物理探测,取得以下4个方面的认识.（1）南海北部的洋-陆边界一般与自由空间重力异常的正-负值过渡位置对应,而更加准确地限定需要结合反射、折射地震资料.稳定大洋岩石圈生成与大陆岩石圈最终破裂之间的洋-陆过渡边界的位置比以往认为的还应往深海盆方向移动.（2）洋-陆过渡带代表了远端带构造作用减弱和岩浆作用逐渐增强的区域.陆坡地壳发育扩张后岩浆底侵、洋-陆过渡带发育同破裂期岩浆喷出结构和侵入反射体.（3）在中生代的古俯冲带弧前区域,新生代的断裂沿着早期的构造开始活动,岩石圈多处发生强烈的共轭韧性剪切作用.随着大陆岩石圈的进一步拉伸减薄,部分靠陆一侧的裂谷中心停止张裂,成为夭折裂谷,以台西南盆地南部凹陷、白云凹陷、西沙海槽为代表,而南海陆缘异常伸展和最终破裂的地方集中在南侧裂谷中心.夭折裂谷下亦发现地幔蛇纹石化,进一步反映了较弱的同破裂岩浆活动.（4）南海初始洋壳的增生沿着大陆边缘走向具有显著的变化,南海东北部洋-陆过渡带下伏地幔明显抬升和部分蛇纹石化,地震纵、横波速度以及折射波衰减特征都支持此观点,反映南海东北部是一个贫岩浆型大陆边缘.未来,南海北部洋-陆过渡带有望成为南海“莫霍钻”的理想备选钻探区.      

冈底斯弧的岩浆作用：从新特提斯俯冲到印度亚洲碰撞

位于青藏高原南部的冈底斯岩浆弧形成于中生代新特提斯大洋岩石圈的长期俯冲过程中,而且在印度与亚洲大陆碰撞过程中叠加了强烈的新生代岩浆作用,是世界上典型的复合型大陆岩浆弧,已经成为研究汇聚板块边缘岩浆作用和大陆地壳生长与再造的天然实验室。基于对现有研究成果的总结,我们将冈底斯岩浆弧的岩浆构造演化划分为5个阶段：第1阶段发生在晚白垩世之前,以新特提斯洋岩石圈长期正常俯冲和钙碱性弧岩浆岩的发育为特征;第2阶段发生在晚白垩世时期,以活动的新特提斯洋中脊发生俯冲和强烈的岩浆作用与显著的新生地壳生长为特征;第3阶段发生在晚白垩世晚期,以残余的新特提斯大洋岩石圈俯冲和正常弧型岩浆作用为特征;第4阶段发生在古新世至中始新世,以印度与亚洲大陆碰撞、俯冲的新特提斯洋岩石圈回转和断离,及其诱发的幔源岩浆作用、新生和古老地壳的强烈再造为特征;第5阶段为发生在晚渐新世到中中新世的后碰撞阶段,深俯冲印度岩石圈的回转和断离,或加厚岩石圈地幔的对流移去导致了加厚下地壳的部分熔融和埃达克质岩石的广泛发育,同时伴随幔源钾质超钾质岩浆作用。冈底斯弧岩浆作用与岩浆成分的系统时空变化很好地记录了从新特提斯洋俯冲到印度亚洲大陆碰撞的完整构造演化过程。     

火山型被动陆缘演化与拉张期岩浆活动的壳底垫托作用

本文讨论了被动陆缘演化研究中的最新进展和大陆岩石圈拉伸的纯剪切模式,简单剪切主“对”被动陆缘新概念、详细论述了火山型被动陆缘形成、演化的深部构造背景及拉张期岩浆活动的壳底垫托作用,强调在陆间型褶皱带研究中拉张型过渡的划分和研究肯有重要意义。     

Tectonotype of nonvolcanic passive margins in the Iberia-Newfoundland region

The tectonotype of nonvolcanic passive margins is discussed on the basis of data on the conjugate margins of West Iberia and Newfoundland. Magmatic, structural, and historical aspects are considered. The Late Mesozoic structural elements related to rifting and transition to spreading are considered, as well as the Early Mesozoic sedimentary basins that begin the history of oceanic opening. The problem is set to determine the tectonic conditions of the early opening of the ocean in the framework of the chosen tectonoptype. These conditions are compared with the setting at the volcanic margins. The formation of the conjugate Iberia-Newfoundland margins is reconstructed as an asymmetric rift system developing in an almost amagmatic regime. All three segments of the margins on both sides of the ocean reveal similar features of transverse zoning with zones of the tectonized continental, transitional, and oceanic crust oriented nearly parallel to the margin. Special attention is called to the old age of the continental crust and subcontinental mantle and the absence of newly formed crystalline crust; the stadial tectonic and rheological evolution of the crust and lithospheric mantle; the specific features of the transitional zone; the serpentinization and exhumation of mantle peridotites and their role in the development of detachment at the crust-mantle interface, related listric faults and the Peridotite Ridge, attenuation of the medium, further localization of continental breakup, and the eventual development of asymmetric conjugate margins. Two papers characterizing the tectonotypes of volcanic and nonvolcanic passive margins ([2] and this paper) determine the line of further comparative analysis necessary for insights into the geodynamics of ocean opening.     

Dimensions of the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene Northeast Atlantic rift derived from Cenozoic subsidence

The distribution of Cenozoic subsidence across Northeast Atlantic volcanic margins have been evaluated to define the width of the rift zone and magnitude of extensional deformation. The subsidence profiles are corrected for the effects of lower-crustal magmatic bodies emplaced during continental break-up. The dimensions of the bodies have been derived from the crustal velocity structure. The width of the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene Northeast Atlantic rift zone was more than 300 km, and the lithospheric extension factor increases gradually towards the line of continental separation. A large number of high-quality seismic reflection data tied to scientific and commercial wells reveals that the initiation of extensional deformation preceded continental separation by ˜ 18 m.y. on the Vøring margin, off Norway. These results show that the Northeast Atlantic volcanic margins, commonly considered as typical volcanic margins indeed, have similar dimensions as non-volcanic margins, and as continental rifts. Thus, these margins contrast significantly with previously suggested evolutionary models based on narrow rift zones and formation during rapid lithospheric failure. The wide rift is compatible with volume of igneous rocks observed along these margins, and with a thermal anomaly similar to that associated with production of Northeast Atlantic oceanic lithosphere.     

从南大西洋裂解过程解密大陆漂移的驱动力

南大西洋裂解造成的非洲和南美洲的大陆分离到了广泛认可,该区域也与大陆漂移学说的诞生密切相关。但大陆漂移的驱动力从其提出至今一直存在争议,定量化分析大西洋裂解过程中板块运动的驱动力显得尤为重要。我们研究了南大西洋两侧被动大陆边缘盆地区域的两条深反射地震勘探剖面,在构造地质解译基础上,详细估算了非洲大陆的莫霍面倾角,得到了沿莫霍面地壳重力滑移剪切力的大小,用于解释大西洋裂解过程中非洲大陆运动的动力机制。结果说明,非洲大陆板块在地幔上涌形成的倾斜界面上能够产生强大的重力滑移力,且南部驱动力大于中部。大陆板块依靠连续的地幔热上涌和重力滑移力会持续漂移。该模型能够合理解释大西洋上诸多线状分布的大陆残片的成因机制,也能合理解释南大西洋南部宽度大于中部的内在原因,最后对南大西洋的打开过程进行了精细的构造演化史恢复。该研究为板块运动提供了一个新的动力模式,为认识板块运动驱动力提供了更为精确的约束信息。     

Tectonics and magmatism in eastern South America and the Brazil basin of the Atlantic in the Phanerozoic

The magmatic and tectonic activity of eastern South America and the western South Atlantic shows that extension of the continental crust is the determinant factor of magmatism. Heating of the upper mantle is a necessary condition of its manifestation. Ascending plume material is a source of additional heat. In the Early Mesozoic, Eastern Brazil was situated above a large, ascending and probably ramifying plume, which has supplied heat and material since the Triassic, creating favorable conditions for continental magmatism. Magmatic activity continued, gradually waning, until the Neogene as evidence for long-term retention of heat energy beneath the continental lithosphere after the plume ascent. It has been shown that heated mantle material can be displaced from the continent to the ocean for a significant distance beneath the lithosphere with the formation of linear tectonomagmatic rises of the oceanic crust. The structural elements inherited certain directions on the continent and in the ocean, beginning from the Neoproterozoic. These directions were reactivated and continued to control the younger structural grain and magmatic activity. In Southeastern Brazil, these were the structural units striking in the southeastern (about 120° SE) and northeastern directions parallel to the continent-ocean boundary. In Northeastern Brazil, the W-E- and N—S-trending structural units are predominant. All these directions are manifested in oceanic structural units (Rio Grande, Vitória-Trindadi, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco rises, etc.).     

大陆解体与被动陆缘的演化

火山型被动陆缘是大陆解体过程中形成的一类陆缘类型,其演化过程与活动陆缘一样复杂多变。随着近年来对大陆解体过程与被动陆缘演化的深入研究,对其沉积过程、岩浆活动以及变质作用研究都有了很大的进展。陆壳减薄解体的过程有许多不同的模式,不对称的简单剪切模式可能是火山型被动陆缘的成因,其机制是软流圈隆起的最大位置从剖面上看与地壳减薄最大位置不在一条垂线上,造成软流圈上升的岩浆在解体的大陆一侧形成火山型被动陆缘。被动陆缘的沉积建造由两套沉积物组成,一套是大陆解体的裂谷阶段所形成的陆相沉积物和双模式火山岩组合,另一套是稳定陆缘的复理石组合;岩浆作用中基性岩类反应了物质直接源于上地幔的主要特点,并有部分受到地壳混染的特征;变质作用中高温低压环境主要发生在裂谷作用阶段,其特点反映了大陆解体过程中随着时间的增温和减压过程,而拆离伸展阶段则被脆性变形所代替。     

造山带火山岩浆作用

造山带火山岩石学研究的主要目的在于重溯造山带的构造－岩浆演化历史。纵观我国到至全球的大陆造山带形成－演化历史，一个造山带往往经历了古大陆裂解，洋陆转换，陆块拼合，碰撞，陆内伸展－盆山耦合和新构造隆升（陆内造山）等众多不同的构造演化阶段，这些不同的构造演化阶段和不同的构造环境均有特定火山岩浆民之相伴。因此，我们可以根据造山带形成－演化不同阶段火山岩浆作用的特点来重溯造山带的的构造－岩浆演化历史，并进而从更大尺度上加以对比，探索全球动力学乃至比较行星学等重大学问题。本文对造山带火山岩石学研究中的一些重要问题进行了讨论和评述，这些问题包括有：板块内部火册浆活动，离散板块边界上的火山岩浆活动，会聚板块边缘的火山岩浆活动。     

Consolidation of the American Cordilleras

The continental margin orogenic systems of the western Americas are enormous features that formed along the Pacific margins of the North and South American plates during late Mesozoic through Cenozoic time. There has been considerable debate concerning their origin, and they are often compared with intra-oceanic fringing arc-trench systems more typical of the Australasian margins of the Pacific Ocean, in that both involve the subduction of oceanic lithosphere, often with similar convergent relative motion vectors. The onset of orogenesis in the two Cordilleras, as shown in reversal of sedimentary polarity from sources generally on the continent to sources along the Pacific margin, seems to date from shortly after emplacement of the oldest oceanic crust in that part of the Atlantic Ocaen east of each continent — i.e., about 170 Ma, or Middle Jurassic, in the case of the Central Atlantic, and about 135 to 100 Ma, or Early to mid-Cretaceous, in the case of the South Atlantic. These ages also seem to mark the onset of westward motion of the two continents over the Pacific Ocean basin and subsequent crustal thickening and uplift, with development of thrust belts, foreland basins, and foredeeps. Prior to this prolonged westward drift, both margins had been convergent for at least several hundred million years, but no massive mountain building had taken place. Instead, the margins were tectonically “neutral”, with typically submarine fringing arc-trench systems or shallow marine to continental margin arcs which stood “outboard” of shallow marine platformal shelves or basins whose main sedimentary polarity was from the continent. Although accretion of “suspect” terranes, high rates of convergence, and age of subducting lithosphere all may have influenced particularly local tectonic response and/or phases of orogenic activity in the two chains, the absolute motion of the two continental margins over the Pacific Ocean basin is considered to have been the dominant factor in Cordilleran tectonic evolution.     

被动大陆边缘：从大陆张裂到海底扩张

被动边缘是研究大陆张裂、破裂到海底扩张的关键。ODP103、149、173航次对伊比利亚-纽芬兰非火山型共轭边缘的研究,证实了洋陆过渡带和低角度拆离断层的存在,其中洋陆过渡带中广泛出现蛇纹岩化地幔橄榄岩,钻探结果支持不对称单剪模式。ODP104、152、163航次对挪威-格陵兰东南火山型共轭边缘的调查,揭示了典型的向海倾斜反射层（SDRS）的特征,反映了岩浆活动在边缘形成中的主导作用。为了进一步了解大陆从张裂到破裂到洋底扩张过程的一系列学术问题,需要在IODP阶段继续对共轭被动边缘以及包括冲绳海槽和南海在内的典型地区,通过钻探、采样和观测进行更深入的研究。     

Recent volcanism in relation to plate interaction and deep-level geodynamics

The spatial distribution of recent (under 2 Ma) volcanism has been studied in relation to mantle hotspots and the evolution of the present-day supercontinent which we named Northern Pangea. Recent volcanism is observed in Eurasia, North and South America, Africa, Greenland, the Arctic, and the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Several types of volcanism are distinguished: mid-ocean ridge (MOR) volcanism; subduction volcanism of island arcs and active continental margins (IA + ACM); continental collision (CC) volcanism; intraplate (IP) volcanism related to mantle hotspots, continental rifts, and transcontinental belts. Continental volcanism is obviously related to the evolution of Northern Pangea, which comprises Eurasia, North and South America, India, Australia, and Africa. The supercontinent is large, with predominant continental crust. The geodynamic setting and recent volcanism of Northern Pangea are determined by two opposite processes. On one hand, subduction from the Pacific Ocean, India, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa consolidates the supercontinent. On the other hand, the spreading of oceanic plates from the Atlantic splits Northern Pangea, changes its shape as compared with Wegener’s Pangea, and causes the Atlantic geodynamics to spread to the Arctic. The long-lasting steady subduction beneath Eurasia and North America favored intense IA + ACM volcanism. Also, it caused cold lithosphere to accumulate in the deep mantle in northern Northern Pangea and replace the hot deep mantle, which was pressed to the supercontinental margins. Later on, this mantle rose as plumes (IP mafic magma sources), which were the ascending currents of global mantle convection and minor convection systems at convergent plate boundaries. Wegener’s Pangea broke up because of the African superplume, which occupied consecutively the Central Atlantic, the South Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean and expanded toward the Arctic. Intraplate plume magmatism in Eurasia and North America was accompanied by surface collisional or subduction magmatism. In the Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, deep-level plume magmatism (high-alkali mafic rocks) was accompanied by surface spreading magmatism (tholeiitic basalts).