The Effects of Changes in Mantle Temperature on Melt Supply and Crustal Accretion: An MCS Reflection and OBH Refraction Stud of the Southeast Indian Ridge

Columbia University, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

This is a geophysical investigation of the dependence of melt supply on mantle temperature and the effects of the variation in melt supply along the Southeast Indian Ridge on the crustal accretion process. The investigation involves a seismic experiment including both refraction lines utilizing ocean-bottom hydrophones to determine variations in crustal thickness and upper mantle seismic velocity and multichannel seismic reflection surveys to determine the internal structure of the crust. Since the spreading rate and the mantle source both are nearly constant along this portion of the Southeast Indian Ridge, the along-axis variation in depth can reasonable be ascribed primarily to the effects of an along-axis variation in mantle temperature.