A geophysical, geochemical, petrological model of the sub-marine lithosphere

A schematic but quantitative geochemical, petrological, model of the sub-marine lithosphere and its genesis is given. With this model we calculate numerically, a priori, the geophysical characteristics of the lithosphere, its acoustic properties, density, oceanic heat flow and ocean bottom topography. Comparison with observational data for these characteristics shows good agreement. Particular attention is given to anomalous upper mantle in the vicinity of spreading centres. Compressional and shear wave velocity distributions are given in tabular form for the submarine lithosphere as a function of age. Comparison between observations for V_p, V_s and the calculated acoustic properties suggests that the lower marine lithosphere is anisotropic. Possible thickening of layer 3 with age is discussed. Melt distribution in the ridge axial region has been evaluated. All calculations were done for a plate velocity of 1 cm y⁻¹.