A simple thermal-mechanical model for mid-ocean ridge topographic variation

Summary. A simple dynamic model, based on the geometry of mantle divergence and thermal parameters controlling equilibrium size of the axial magma chamber, explains the variation in topography along mid-ocean ridges. Among morphological characters accounted for are: (1) the change from axial-valley to axial-high type ridge crests with increasing spreading rate, (2) the localized occurrence of deeps at ridge-transform intersections, and (3) the correlation of average transform spacing with spreading rate. The model also yields an explanation for anomalous ridge topography associated with oceanic hot spots. Incorporation of smaller-scale bathymetric and ophiolite data into this scheme permits construction of a comprehensive model of ocean crust accretion.