Ito
Garrett T.
Ito
Garrett T.
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ArticleObservational and theoretical studies of the dynamics of mantle plume–mid-ocean ridge interaction(American Geophysical Union, 2003-11-20) Ito, Garrett T. ; Lin, Jian ; Graham, David W.Hot spot–mid-ocean ridge interactions cause many of the largest structural and chemical anomalies in Earth's ocean basins. Correlated geophysical and geochemical anomalies are widely explained by mantle plumes that deliver hot and compositionally distinct material toward and along mid-ocean ridges. Compositional anomalies are seen in trace element and isotope ratios, while elevated mantle temperatures are suggested by anomalously thick crust, low-density mantle, low mantle seismic velocities, and elevated degrees and pressures of melting. Several geodynamic laboratory and modeling studies predict that the width over which plumes expand along the ridge axis increases with plume flux and excess buoyancy and decreases with plate spreading rate, plume viscosity, and plume-ridge separation. Key aspects of the theoretical predictions are supported by observations at several prominent hot spot–ridge systems. Still, many basic aspects of plume-ridge interaction remain enigmatic. Outstanding problems pertain to whether plumes flow toward and along mid-ocean ridges in narrow pipe-like channels or as broad expanding gravity currents, the origin of geochemical mixing trends observed along ridges, and how mantle plumes alter the geometry of the mid-ocean ridge plate boundary, as well as the origin of other ridge axis anomalies not obviously related to mantle plumes.
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ArticleMagmatic and tectonic extension at mid-ocean ridges : 2. Origin of axial morphology(American Geophysical Union, 2008-09-30) Ito, Garrett T. ; Behn, Mark D.We investigate the origin of mid-ocean ridge morphology with numerical models that successfully predict axial topographic highs, axial valleys, and the transition between the two. The models are time-dependent, simulating alternating tectonic and magmatic periods where far-field extension is accommodated by faulting and by magmatism, respectively. During tectonic phases, models predict faults to grow on either side of the ridge axis and axial height to decrease. During magmatic phases, models simulate magmatic extension by allowing the axial lithosphere to open freely in response to extension. Results show that fault size and spacing decreases with increasing time fraction spent in the magmatic phase F M . Magmatic phases also simulate the growth of topography in response to local buoyancy forces. The fundamental variable that controls the transition between axial highs and valleys is the “rise-sink ratio,” (F M /F T )(τ T /τ M ), where F M /F T is the ratio of the time spent in the magmatic and tectonic periods and τ T /τ M is the ratio of the characteristic rates for growing topography during magmatic phases (1/τ M ) and for reducing topography during tectonic phases (1/τ T ). Models predict the tallest axial highs when (F M /F T )(τ T /τ M ) ≫ 1, faulted topography without a high or valley when (F M /F T )(τ T /τ M ) ∼ 1, and the deepest median valleys when (F M /F T )(τ M /τ T ) < 1. New scaling laws explain a global negative correlation between axial topography and lithosphere thickness as measured by the depths of axial magma lenses and microearthquakes. Exceptions to this trend reveal the importance of other behaviors such as a predicted inverse relation between axial topography and spreading rate as evident along the Lau Spreading Center. Still other factors related to the frequency and spatial pervasiveness of magmatic intrusions and eruptions, as evident at the Mid-Atlantic and Juan de Fuca ridges, influence the rise-sink-ratio (F M /F T )(τ T /τ M ) and thus axial morphology.