Geodynamic zonation of the Atlantic Ocean lithosphere: Application of cluster analysis procedure and zoning inferred from geophysical data

N. S. Sokolov
Geological department of the M. V. Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russia

L. V. Dmitriev
V. I. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Abstract

[1]  Ten geological-geophysical parameters used in geodynamics directly or indirectly reflecting geometry of the Atlantic lithosphere inner boundaries, mass distribution within the lithosphere, and energy release made it possible to calculate 15 stable combinations of parameters whose manifestation areas are interpreted as geodynamically different districts. The Atlantic lithosphere zonation allows a new segmentation of a mid-oceanic ridge zone presenting the alternation of "cold'' and "hot'' blocks, marked by discrete conditions of basalt melts formation. Additional phenomena superimposed on the standard oceanic lithosphere are discussed. The phenomena present zones pseudosymmetric with respect to a mid-oceanic ridge marked by highly productive plume magmatism, these zones are more extensive than it has been considered earlier, and sublatitudinal zones exhibiting some features of fore-arc zones.

Received 28 November 2007; accepted 18 December 2007; published 26 April 2008.

Keywords: Geodynamic zonation, cluster analysis, mid-oceanic ridge zone.

Index Terms: 3235 Mathematical Geophysics: Persistence, memory, correlations, clustering; 8120 Tectonophysics: Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general; 8130 Tectonophysics: Heat generation and transport; 9325 Geographic Location: Atlantic Ocean.

Citation: Sokolov, S. Yu., N. S. Sokolov, and L. V. Dmitriev (2008), Geodynamic zonation of the Atlantic Ocean lithosphere: Application of cluster analysis procedure and zoning inferred from geophysical data, Russ. J. Earth Sci., 10, ES4001, doi:10.2205/2007ES000218.