Anomalous heat flow from a Miocene ridge crest-trench collision, Antarctic Peninsula

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6914217

Dougherty, M E; Von Herzen, R P; Barker, P F

In January 1985 a marine heat-flow survey was carried out aboard the British Antarctic Survey research ship RRS Discovery southwest of the Anvers fracture zone where a ridge crest-trench collision occurred approximately 15 million years ago. Anomalously high heat flow has been discovered coming from the oceanic crust and continental margin to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The purpose of this study was to examine the thermal state of one section of the Antarctic Peninsula where young oceanic lithosphere has been subducted. At the time of arrival of the ridge crest to the trench, subduction and spreading of the ridge both stopped. A heat-flow anomaly should still be present around the subduction zone since newly formed crust was in the trench at the time of collision. Heat-flow patterns around trench arc systems subducting old ocean crust in the West Pacific show a distinctive low heat-flow zone centered around the trench axis. Locations of the heat-flow stations were chosen to determine best the thermal state of the surviving flank of the spreading center as well as that of the collision and subduction complex. A table gives a summary of the locations and heat-flow data for each successful measurement. Corrections to the raw gradients include adjustments for sedimentation and seasonal variations in bottom-water temperature.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6914217
• Journal Information: Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States), Journal Name: Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States) Vol. 21:5; ISSN AJUSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150301* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CORRECTIONS
DATA
EARTH CRUST
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
HEAT FLOW
INFORMATION
OCEANIC CRUST
PACIFIC OCEAN
POLAR REGIONS
SEAS
SUBDUCTION ZONES
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT