Results of the numerical model with two plate boundaries showing the delamination and extraction of a lower lithospheric block. (IMAGE)
Caption
The modelling section aims at investigating processes occurring along a NW–SW direction (profile in Fig. 2). a, Initial stage of the model. b, Model evolution after 3.0 Myrs. c, Model evolution after 9.7 Myrs, corresponding to present-day conditions. d, Model evolution after 24.5 Myrs, corresponding to future conditions. Note the formation of a flake-like structure in c with a Gorringe-like south-dipping thrust at crustal levels and a deeper lithospheric north-dipping fault below a flat region comparable with the Horseshoe Abyssal Plain, where a 1969-like event may have occurred (see schematic illustration in Fig. 4). This model shows that under these circumstances the oceanic lithospheric mantle may delaminate and be extracted, leading to unexpected lithospheric configurations similar to the ones observed offshore Southwest Iberia. The black arrows represent velocity vectors, and the red lines indicate isotherms in degrees Celsius. Strain rate for values higher than 0.1 × 10−13 s−1 are also shown. Beige colour: lithospheric mantle; light green: basaltic oceanic crust; salmon: serpentinized mantle; dark green: sedimentary crust; reddish: weak zones. Model outputs were generated using ParaView (https://www.paraview.org/)
Credit
Duarte, J.C., Riel, N., Civiero, C. et al.
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY