共查询到20条相似文献，搜索用时 359 毫秒
1.
通过对西太平洋帕里西维拉海盆东南部的C-P19柱状样和马里亚纳海沟南坡的L3柱状样进行粒度和稀土元素地球化学分析,探讨了二者物源的异同。结果表明:研究区沉积物的稀土元素含量基本不受沉积物粒度控制,主要受控于物源变化。物源判别结果指示二者的物源具有同源性,其中西马里亚纳海脊剥蚀下来的火山物质对研究区的物质来源贡献最大。火山物质中的重矿物可以影响到稀土元素的含量,例如锆石的含量和稀土元素总量(ΣREY)的相关系数可达0.86。来自中国内陆黄土的陆源风尘物质对两个研究区的物源供给也有一定贡献,但其贡献程度较小。由于马里亚纳海沟南坡更加远离大陆且纬度更低,其接受的亚洲风尘也比帕里西维拉海盆和挑战者深渊更少。此外,南极底层水流经研究区,对海盆和海沟的沉积物都造成一定影响,而且在马里亚纳海沟南坡更加活跃,因而帕里西维拉海盆东南部的沉积物比马里亚纳海沟南坡更易于保存。 相似文献
2.
帕里西维拉海盆西北部表层沉积物中粘土矿物的分布特征及物源分析 总被引：3，自引：1，他引：3
提要应用X射线衍射(XRD)方法对菲律宾海帕里西维拉海盆西北部的257个表层沉积物样品<2μm粘土组分进行了分析。结果表明,本研究区粘土矿物的组合特点是伊利石含量最高(平均含量47%),蒙皂石含量次之(平均含量35%),高岭石和绿泥石含量均很低(平均含量小于10%)。根据该区表层粘土矿物中伊利石、蒙皂石相对含量的分布,可以大体上分为两种含量组合类型,据此也可以划分出两个组合分区:Ⅰ.富伊利石分区,主要位于帕劳海脊和帕里西维拉海沟之间的大部分区域的地形平坦处;Ⅱ.富蒙皂石分区,主要位于研究区东部帕里西维拉海沟附近和南部零星区域。根据粘土矿物的平面分布特征,结合个别样品的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线能谱(EDS)分析,认为伊利石主要来源于研究区以西陆地及周边岛屿。伊利石的化学指数和结晶度指数表明,伊利石形成于物理风化较强的气候环境并可能与中国内陆黄土有关系,区内大部分蒙皂石具有富铁并含少量镁的特征,基性火山物质的蚀变是其主要成因,高岭石和绿泥石以陆源为主;风力的吹扬是研究区伊利石物质来源的主要输送方式,洋流作用对粘土矿物,尤其是蒙皂石矿物的分布具有一定影响。 相似文献
3.
The Philippine Sea Plate has an extremely special tectonic background. As an oceanic plate, it is almost entirely surrounded by subduction zones with complex internal tectonic features. On the basis of enormous published literature, this paper offers a comprehensive overview of the tectonic and evolution history of the Philippine Basin and the Kyushu-Palau Ridge (KPR) in the Philippine Sea Plate, and discusses the geological features of KPR. Referring to relevant definitions of various "ridges" stipulated in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, so the KPR is believed to be a remnant arc formed during the opening of the Parece Vela and Shikoku Basins in the Philippine Sea Plate. It is a submarine ridge on oceanic plate rather than a submarine elevation. And thus, it is not a natural component of the Japan continental margin. 相似文献
4.
Xiongwei Niu Pingchuan Tan Weiwei Ding Wei Wang Yao Wei Xiaodong Wei Aiguo Ruan Jie Zhang Chunyang Wang Yong Tang Jiabiao Li 《海洋学报(英文版)》2022,41(1):39-49
A new high-resolution velocity model of the southern Kyushu-Palau Ridge(KPR) was derived from an activesource wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction profile. The result shows that the KPR crust can be divided into the upper crust with the P-wave velocity less than 6.1 m/s, and lower crust with P-wave velocity between 6.1 km/s and 7.2 km/s. The crustal thickness of the KPR reaches 12.0 km in the center, which gradually decreases to 5.0–6.0 km at sides. The velocity structure of the KPR is simil... 相似文献
5.
A New Scenario of the Parece Vela Basin Genesis 总被引：4，自引：0，他引：4
A new high density geophysical data set in the Parece Vela Basin north of 15°N has been obtained through surveys conducted by the Hydrographic Department of Japan. The combined analyses of the swath bathymetry, magnetic and gravity anomalies from these surveys reveal a new scenario for the genesis of this basin. The evolutionary process is as follows: rifting and crust thinning (29–26 Ma), northward propagation of east-west opening (26-23 Ma) , east-west opening together with the Shikoku Basin (23–21 Ma), and the northeast-southwest opening (20/19–15 Ma). The western part of the basin is complicated, displaying some traces of northward propagation of the spreading center. The change between early east-west opening and the final stage of northeast-southwest spreading is marked by a distinct north-south boundary in both structural and magnetic patterns. Deep and rough topography of the extinct Parece Vela Rift is due to magma starvation in the terminal phase of the spreading. 相似文献
6.
Large-scale detachment faults on mid-ocean ridges （MORs） provide a window into the deeper earth. They have megamullion on their corrugated surfaces, with exposed lower crustal and upper mantle rocks, rela- tively high residual Bouguer gravity anomaly and P-wave velocity, and are commonly associated with ocean- ic core complex. According to 30 detachment faults identified on MORs, we found that their distances to the axis mostly range from 5 to 50 km, half-spreading rates range from 6.8 to 17 mm/a, and activity time ranges from recent to 3 Ma. Most of the detachment faults are developed on the slow spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge （MAR） and ultra-slow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge （SWIRl, with the dominant half-spreading rates of 7-13 mm/a, especially 10-13 mm/a. Furthermore, they mostly occur at the inside corner of one segment end and result in an asymmetric seafloor spreading. The detachment faults on MORs are mainly controlled by the tectonism and influenced by the magmatism. Long-lived detachment faults tend to be formed where the ridge magma supply is at a moderate level, although the tectonism is a first-order controlling factor. At the slow spreading ridges, detachment faults tend to occur where local magma supply is relatively low, whilst at the ultra-slow spreading ridges, they normally occur where local magma supply is relatively high. These faults are accompanied by hydrothermal activities, with their relationships being useful in the study of hydrothermal polymetallic sulfides and their origin. 相似文献
7.
海山地形的多尺度特征研究,有助于理解海山形成与演化过程中的地貌过程,并为深入认识俯冲带地球动力过程提供新的线索。本文基于中国科学院海洋研究所“科学”号科考船近年来在雅浦-卡罗琳海区采集的高分辨率海底地形数据,利用统计学及频谱分析等方法,分析了研究区42座海山的形态及地形粗糙度特征,并对海山地形多尺度特征及其成因开展研究。结果表明,雅浦-卡罗琳海区不同构造环境下形成的海山群,在海山的形态参数和多尺度地形特征等方面存在显著差异。相比于索罗尔海槽,帕里西维拉海盆中的海山具有更大的宽高比与更小的平坦度。两区域内海山形态参数具有不同的线性相关关系,表明区域内海山存在不同的形态演化过程。对帕里西维拉海盆中海山地形的频谱分析显示,其大尺度特征信号不显著,意味着该区域内海山地形受小尺度地貌过程的影响更大。索罗尔海槽中海山的粗糙度与海山体积具有线性相关性,可能与不同海山形成过程的差异有关,较早形成的海山受到了更多构造活动及小尺度地貌过程的影响,进而形成了更加粗糙的表面特征。 相似文献
8.
利用西太平洋地区的雅浦-马里亚纳海沟附近海域的多波束水深数据,获得了9.8°N—13.2°N、132.2°E—145°E矩形区域内的高精度水深地形图。通过对精细地貌进行研究发现,马里亚纳海沟南部的洋坡上发育有大范围的地垒、地堑型地貌,雅浦海沟北部存在明显的分段性特征,菲律宾海盆和帕里西维拉海盆内存在不同展布方向的大规模脊-槽地貌。研究结果表明此处复杂的地形地貌特征主要受板块运动的控制。最后结合已有研究成果,对该区域的地形地貌进行了分类。 相似文献
9.
九州-帕劳海脊两侧深海盆地浅部地层结构特征与分析 总被引：2，自引：0，他引：2
由于欧亚板块、澳大利亚板块与太平洋板块运动的作用,菲律宾海盆形成了全球最为复杂的海底地形地貌.以九州-帕劳海脊为界,西菲律宾海盆与帕里西维拉海盆呈现不同的构造走向与地形特征,海脊两侧发育丰富的深海地质现象与地貌特征.参量阵浅地层剖面仪因其差频窄波束的发射特点,能够获得深海海底浅地层的高分辨率剖面.本文利用参量阵浅地层剖... 相似文献
10.
11.
Jeb Palmer Jean-Christophe Sempéré David M. Christie Jason Phipps Morgan 《Marine Geophysical Researches》1993,15(2):121-152
The Australian-Antarctic Discordance (AAD) is an anomalously deep and rugged zone of the Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR) between 120° E and 128° E. The AAD contains the boundary between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean isotopic provinces. We have analyzed SeaMarc II bathymetric and sidescan sonar data along the SEIR between 123° E and 128° E. The spreading center in the AAD, previously known to be divided into several transform-bounded sections, is further segmented by nontransform discontinuities which separate distinct spreading cells. Near the transform which bounds the AAD to the east, there is a marked change in the morphology of the spreading center, as well as in virtually every measured geochemical parameter. The spreading axis within the Discordance lies in a prominent rift valley similar to that observed along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, although the full spreading rate within the AAD is somewhat faster than that of slow-spreading centers (~ 74 mm a–1 vs. 0–40 mm a–1). The AAD rift valleys show a marked contrast with the axial high that characterizes the SEIR east of the AAD. This change in axial morphology is coincident with a large (~ 1 km) deepening of the spreading axis. The segmentation characteristics of the AAD are analogous to those of the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as opposed to the SEIR east of the AAD, which exhibits segmentation characteristics typical of fast-spreading centers. Thus, the spreading center within and east of the AAD contains much of the range of global variability in accretionary processes, yet it is a region free from spreading rate variations and the volumetric and chemical influences of hotspots. We suggest that the axial morphology and segmentation characteristics of the AAD spreading centers are the result of the presence of cooler than normal mantle. The presence of a cool mantle and the subsequent diminution of magma supply at a constant spreading rate may engender the creation of anomalously thick brittle lithosphere within the AAD, a condition which favor, the creation of an axial rift valley and of thin oceanic crust, in agreement with petrologic studies. The morphologies of transform and non-transform discontinuities within the Discordance also possess characteristics consistent with the creation of anomalously thick lithosphere in the region. The upper mantle viscosity structure which results from lower mantle temperatures and melt production rates may account for the similarity in segmentation characteristics between the AAD and slow-spreading centers. The section of the AAD which overlies the isotopic boundary is associated with chaotic seafloor which may be caused by an erratic pattern of magmatism and/or complex deformation associated with mantle convergence. Finally, the pattern of abyssal hill terrain within a portion of the AAD supports previous models for the formation of abyssal hills at intermediate- and slow-spreading ridges, and provides insights into how asymmetric spreading is achieved in this region. 相似文献
12.
The Philippine Basin,surrounded by a series of oceanic trenches,is an independent deep ocean basin in the West Pacific Ocean.Its middle part is divided into three marginal sea sub-basins by the Kyushu-Palau and West Mariana Ridges,namely,the West Philippine Basin,the Shikoku and Parece Vela Basins and the Mariana Trough.This paper,through the analysis of the geomorphologic features and gravity and magnetic characteristics of the basin and identification of striped magnetic anomalies,suggests that the entire Philippine Basin developed magnetic lineation of oceanic nature,and therefore,the entire basin is of the nature of oceanic crust.The basin has developed a series of special geomorphic units with different shapes.The KPR runs through the entire Philippine Basin.From the view of geomorphologic features,the KPR is a discontinuous seamount chain (chain-shaped seamounts) and subduction beneath the Japanese Island arc at the Nankai Trough which is the natural boundary between the basin and the Japanese Island arc.At the positions of 25 N,24 N,23 N and 18 N,obvious discontinuity is shown,which belongs to natural topographic discontinuity.Therefore,the KPR is topographically discontinuous. 相似文献
13.
西太平洋中部地区是西太平洋板块边缘沟-弧-盆体系构造演化的关键区域,其地质特征与构造演化一直是地学家关注的焦点问题之一。开展岩石圈有效弹性厚度的研究对于认识该区域的形成演化具有重要的科学意义。本文采用滑动窗口导纳技术,并在挠曲模型中考虑了表面荷载和内部荷载同时存在的情况,计算得到该区域的岩石圈有效弹性厚度(Te)。计算结果显示,研究区的Te值整体上为0~50 km,其变化基本上与构造单元相吻合,且与主要的构造边界密切相关。除海底火山具有相对较小的Te值(15~20 km)外,太平洋板块整体上具有较强的岩石圈强度(25~30 km)。马里亚纳海沟和菲律宾海沟的岩石圈强度从外隆起到海沟方向表现为明显的减弱,表明岩石圈由外隆起向海沟发生了弱化。帕里西维拉海盆西部相较于东部具有较弱的岩石圈强度,这可能与海盆的非对称扩张有关。卡罗琳板块的岩石圈整体上表现为相对均一的低Te值特征(<15 km)。欧里皮克海隆、卡罗琳海岭和索罗尔海槽的Te值为3 km,这可能是强烈的火山作用所导致的结果。 相似文献
14.
为研究帕里西维拉海盆区上层水体中悬浮体分布特征,对2003年冬季在该海区现场测得的上层水体悬浮体质量浓度数据进行详细分析。结果表明,调查期间研究区悬浮体质量浓度在水平上表现出西高东低的特征,垂向上的差异较小。现场大面站调查和同期卫星高度计数据显示,调查期间在研究区海域同时存在冷涡和暖涡活动,其中冷涡活动区位于研究区西部,暖涡活动区位于东部。分层分析表明,调查区中尺度涡活动对悬浮体分布有明显的控制效应:在冷涡活动区内,深层的富营养盐水体上涌,使冷涡内部的浮游生物量增多,导致冷涡活动区内的悬浮体质量浓度明显高于周围;在暖涡活动区内,因上层的寡营养盐水体下沉,使暖涡区的浮游生物量减少,导致悬浮体质量浓度明显低于周围。受洋流和中尺度涡活动的影响,调查海区西北部岛礁的物质供应也是导致研究区悬浮体分布呈现西高东低格局的重要因素。 相似文献
15.
《Oceanologica Acta》2002,25(5):219-226
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the target of an emerging international ecosystem study under the Census of marine life programme. This pilot project shall gather new knowledge on biodiversity, distribution patterns, and ecological processes, and the overriding aim is “to describe and understand the patterns of distribution, abundance and trophic relationships of the organisms inhabiting the mid-oceanic North Atlantic, and identify and model ecological processes that cause variability in these patterns”. The project will focus on pelagic, benthopelagic and epibenthic macrofauna, and analyse distribution and abundance patterns in relation to the abiotic and biotic environment, as well as trophic relationships and life history strategies. Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and gelatinous plankton and nekton have the highest priority in the study. A major challenge of the project is to overcome observation difficulties at large depths and in rugged terrain. A central aim is thus to utilise modern remote sensing technology (acoustics, optics) using advanced instrument carriers (e.g. towed vehicles, ROVs, AUVs, etc.). The project will be carried out as a multi-ship operation in 2003–2005, and the ongoing planning is a collaborative effort involving many nations around the North Atlantic. The project will work on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and in adjacent waters from the Azores to Iceland, both by surveying large areas by acoustics and mid-water trawling, and by focusing on three selected sub-areas for intensive sampling and observation by traditional and novel methods and technology. Overlapping with the field seasons, the period 2004–2008 will be an analytical phase, also including submission of data to OBIS. 相似文献
16.
Jean-Christophe Sempéré Jian Lin Holly S. Brown Hans Schouten G. M. Purdy 《Marine Geophysical Researches》1993,15(3):153-200
Analysis of Sea Beam bathymetry along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 24°00 N and 30°40 N reveals the nature and scale of the segmentation of this slow-spreading center. Except for the Atlantis Transform, there are no transform offsets along this 800-km-long portion of the plate boundary. Instead, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is offset at intervals of 10–100 km by nontransform discontinuities, usually located at local depth maxima along the rift valley. At these discontinuities, the horizontal shear between offset ridge segments is not accommodated by a narrow, sustained transform-zone. Non-transform discontinuities along the MAR can be classified according to their morphology, which is partly controlled by the distance between the offset neovolcanic zones, and their spatial and temporal stability. Some of the non-transform discontinuities are associated with off-axis basins which integrate spatially to form discordant zones on the flanks of the spreading center. These basins may be the fossil equivalents of the terminal lows which flank the neovolcanic zone at the ends of each segment. The off-axis traces, which do not lie along small circles about the pole of opening of the two plates, reflect the migration of the discontinuities along the spreading center.The spectrum of rift valley morphologies ranges from a narrow, deep, hourglass-shaped valley to a wide valley bounded by low-relief rift mountains. A simple classification of segment morphology involves two types of segments. Long and narrow segments are found preferentially on top of the long-wavelength, along-axis bathymetric high between the Kane and Atlantis Transforms. These segments are associated with circular mantle Bouguer anomalies which are consistent with focused mantle upwelling beneath the segment mid-points. Wide, U-shaped segments in cross-section are preferentially found in the deep part of the long-wavelength, along-axis depth profile. These segments do not appear to be associated with circular mantle Bouguer anomalies, indicating perhaps a more complex pattern of mantle upwelling and/or crustal structure. Thus, the long-recognized bimodal distribution of segment morphology may be associated with different patterns of mantle upwelling and/or crustal structure. We propose that the range of observed, first-order variations in segment morphology reflects differences in the flow pattern, volume and temporal continuity of magmatic upwelling at the segment scale. However, despite large first-order differences, all segments display similar intra-segment, morphotectonic variations. We postulate that the intra-segment variability represents differences in the relative importance of volcanism and tectonism along strike away from a zone of enhanced magma upwelling within each segment. The contribution of volcanism to the morphology will be more important near the shallowest portion of the rift valley within each segment, beneath which we postulate that upwelling of magma is enhanced, than beneath the ends of the segment. Conversely, the contribution of tectonic extension to the morphology will become more important toward the spreading center discontinuities. Variations in magmatic budget along the strike of a segment will result in along-axis variations in crustal structure. Segment mid-points may coincide with regions of highest melt production and thick crust, and non-transform discontinuities with regions of lowest melt production and thin crust. This hypothesis is consistent with available seismic and gravity data.The rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is in general an asymmetric feature. Near segment mid-points, the rift valley is usually symmetric but, away from the segment mid-points, one side of the rift valley often consists of a steep, faulted slope while the other side forms a more gradual ramp. These observations suggest that half-grabens, rather than full-grabens, are the fundamental building blocks of the rift valley. They also indicate that the pattern of faulting varies along strike at the segment scale, and may be a consequence of the three-dimensional, thermo-mechanical structure of segments associated with enhanced mantle upwelling beneath their mid-points. 相似文献
17.
洋中脊玄武岩（MORB）的微量元素成分和同位素比值具有变化范围大的特点,这些变化很难简单地用地幔部分熔融和结晶分异等岩浆演化过程来解释。传统观点认为洋中脊玄武岩的地球化学成分的多样性是由其下部地幔成分的大尺度不均一性决定的。这种地幔不均一性则是外来物质的加入造成的,如再循环的地壳物质、下大陆岩石圈、交代的岩石圈和外地核等成分加入到上地幔中。在本研究中,我们对大西洋洋中脊的玄武岩展开研究工作,评估了玄武岩源区的温压条件并综合对比了微量元素和同位素比值。靠近地幔柱的洋中脊玄武岩的地球化学和同位素成分具有较大的变化。地幔柱对洋中脊地区的影响范围可以达到1400公里,但并不是每个地幔柱都能够影响其周围1400km范围内的所有洋中脊脊段。未受地幔柱影响的洋中脊玄武岩成分和地幔潜在温度均没有异常表现。我们认为上述现象是由于地幔柱柱头形状不同造成的。地幔柱的流动形状可以分为管状和饼状两种,饼状地幔柱影响其周围的地幔是没有方向性的,而管状地幔柱对其周围地幔的影响在方向上具有选择性。沿着大西洋中脊的玄武岩的元素和同位素比值变化较大,暗示其源区具有较高的不均一性。我们认为该地区地幔不均一性主要是由于上地幔中加入了俯冲板片和拆沉下地壳造成的。另外,地幔柱的活动也不容忽视,它们影响了其周围部分洋脊段的成分变化。 相似文献
18.
Bing Li Xuefa Shi Sai Wang Jixin Wang Quanshu Yan 《Marine Georesources & Geotechnology》2013,31(6):727-738
AbstractMineralogical, geochemical and S-isotopic studies were carried out on seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) and hydrothermally altered rocks from the mafic-hosted TaiJi field (including TaiJi-1 and TaiJi-2 sites), which is located on the margin of a nontransform discontinuity (NTD) on the Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (SMAR). The main hydrothermal precipitates of TaiJi-1 were massive sulfides, while TaiJi-2 produced a large amount of semi-massive sulfides. Significant rock alteration is an important feature of this field, and large amounts of clay minerals (chlorite) occurred in the semi-massive sulfides. Geochemically, notable negative correlations were identified between rock forming elements (Mg) and major hydrothermal metal elements such as Zn?+?Cu and Co in semisulfides. Such mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, together with low Co/Ni ratio (similar to the surrounding rocks) of the semi-massive sulfides and the unique REE features of some altered rocks, tell us that the prominent mineralization mechanism for these semi-massive sulfides was probably related to rock mineralization. Thus, TaiJi-2 appears to differ significantly from the TaiJi-1 in terms of sulfide mineralization mechanism. Moreover, the TaiJi sulfides are remarkable for large δ34S variation (7.2–15.3%). We suggest that seawater corrosion after sulfides precipitation were responsible for 34S enrichment in sulfides. Furthermore, our work sheds some light on the comparison between TaiJi and other NTD-related fields along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We argue that rock mineralization may represent an important mineralization type in NTDs. 相似文献
19.
《Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers》2001,48(8):1793-1819
Increased values of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11), tritium and stable tritium in the depth range from 2500 to 3500 m at the eastern flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 48°N (WHP section A2) indicate an influence of newly ventilated water. Water with similar Θ, S and tracer properties is found on the WHP section A1 (55°N) situated north of the Gibbs Fracture Zone in the Iceland Basin. The high tracer concentrations are due to the influence of Iceland Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW). The ISOW-influenced water found in the Iceland Basin partially passes by the Gibbs Fracture Zone (52°N) and flows southward along the topography of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A quantitative analysis of the transport from the Iceland Basin to the Westeuropean Basin is carried out based on the assumption that the water with enhanced tracer values is a two-component mixture of recirculating North East Atlantic Deep Water from the eastern part of the Westeuropean Basin and ISOW-influenced water as found on A1 in the Iceland Basin (NEADWIB). The composition of the mixture and the transport time for the NEADWIB are deduced from the temporal evolution of the tracer values. From the distance between the two sections and the area with enhanced tracer values, a transport of NEADWIB from the Iceland Basin to the Westeuropean Basin of 1.63±0.32 Sv1 is calculated for the density range 41.37<σ3<41.475. Transports between 2.4 and 3.5 Sv result if the transport in the former density range is extrapolated to 41.35<σ3<41.52 (corresponding to σΘ>27.8) in different ways. 相似文献
20.
Some seismic refraction observations undertaken during the IGY are reported here together with a summary of other refraction studies carried out within the Transkei Basin, the Mozambique Ridge and the South African continental shelf area.A 2.5 km section of Cretaceous and younger rocks is associated with profiles observed on the continental shelf; directly below this group are rocks with velocities in the range 4.0–5.5 km s-1, probably representatives of the Karroo and Cape supergroups. The basement material velocity variations were from 5.3 to 6.5 with an average of 5.9 km s-1, and is correlated with granite or Malmesbury Formation plus granite. This crustal structure is similar to that found on the eastern continental shelf of southern South America.The profiles in the Transkei Basin show a thick layer of sediment with velocity range 1.50 to 3.50 km s-1, underlain by a refracting layer in which the average velocity is 4.5 km s-1. The velocity of 6.6 km s-1 obtained for the oceanic layer is similar to the velocities of the crustal layer measured in the Argentine Basin. The mantle velocity (8.1 km s-1) is consistent with the average mantle velocity for the Indian Ocean but significantly lower than the Pacific Ocean average of 8.20 km s-1. The depth to Moho is about 12.0 km and the crustal section is typical oceanic. A plate tectonic model of the early opening of the South Atlantic is used to describe the evolution of the Transkei Basin.On the Mozambique Ridge the thin sediments (0.7 km) are underlain by rocks with velocities averaging 5.6 km s-1. This is more than 1.0 km s-1 faster than the velocity for layer 2 from the Transkei Basin and the Agulhas Plateau, indicating rocks of a younger age or of a different type. Moreover the crustal section of the Ridge has a thickness in excess of 22 km and is in isostatic equilibrium when compared with the adjacent Transkei Basin and Agulhas Plateau. DSDP site 249, situated on the Ridge, penetrated basalt at a depth of 0.4 km. Whether this is continental or oceanic basalt is not known; when this site 249 basalt was compared to the cored basalts of the adjacent Mozambique Basin, inconclusive results were obtained. The essential constitution of the Mozambique Ridge remains an enigma, but solution of this problem is vital for the proper understanding of the Mesozoic history of this oceanic region. 相似文献