Marginal Offsets, Fracture Zones, and the Early Opening of the South Atlantic

doi:doi:10.1029/JB076i026p06283

Abstract

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Abstract

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 76, NO. 26, PP. 6283-6293, 1971
doi:10.1029/JB076i026p06283

Marginal Offsets, Fracture Zones, and the Early Opening of the South Atlantic

Xavier Le Picnon

Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964

Dennis E. Hayes

Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades, New York 10964

A simplified model is proposed that can explain the evolution of marginal offsets, ridges, and fracture zones. Submarine features of the equatorial Atlantic margins are examined and are found to be in reasonable agreement with the model. The results reaffirm the suggestion that the South Atlantic opened in two stages beginning about 140 m.y. and 80 m.y. ago. The pole of rotation describing the relative motion of the South American and African plates changed radically when the constraints imposed by adjacent continental blocks were relaxed.

Received 16 February 1971; .

Citation: Le Picnon, X., and D. E. Hayes (1971), Marginal Offsets, Fracture Zones, and the Early Opening of the South Atlantic, J. Geophys. Res., 76(26), 6283–6293, doi:10.1029/JB076i026p06283.

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