Opening of the Gulf of Aden and Afar by progressive tearing |
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| Authors: | Vincent E Courtillot |
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| Institution: | 1. Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université P. et M. Curie, Paris, France;2. Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université Paris VII, Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France |
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| Abstract: | A new detailed aeromagnetic survey of the Republic of Djibouti and surrounding area reveals a wealth of new information which can be correlated with other data, in particular geologic and tectonic maps. Oceanic magnetic anomalies are identified from the Gulf of Aden westward to the Ghoubbet-Asal rift in Afar. Identification of the anomalies, together with a reinterpretation of earlier magnetic profiles, indicates that rifting started earlier in the east and provides clear evidence for the westward propagation of a crack through the lithosphere at an approximate velocity of 3 cm y?1. The crack tip is now thought to lie somewhere close to lake Asal and should continue its motion further to the northwest. Some first consequences of this non-rigid model of plate opening are discussed and independent support from a number of sources is obtained. |
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