The initiation of segmented buoyancy-driven melting during continental breakup

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13110
• Publication Date: 2016-10-18T09:38:06Z
• Authors: Ryan J. Gallacher; Derek Keir; Nicholas Harmon; Graham Stuart; Sylvie Leroy; James O. S. Hammond; J-Michael Kendall; Atalay Ayele; Berhe Goitom; Ghebrebrhan Oguba...; Abdulhakim Ahmed
• Keywords: Seafloor Spreading; Hotspot (geology); continental collision

Abstract Melting of the mantle during continental breakup leads to magmatic intrusion and volcanism, yet our understanding location dominant mechanisms melt generation in rifting environments is impeded by a paucity direct observations melting. It unclear when process segmented nature magma supply typical seafloor spreading initiates. Here, we use Rayleigh-wave tomography construct high-resolution absolute three-dimensional shear-wave velocity model upper 250 km beneath Afar triple junction, imaging response progressive breakup. Our suggests production highest melting depths deepest early Elevated likely due localized thinning focusing rift narrow. In addition, interpret zones rift, suggesting that buoyancy-driven active upwelling initiates rifting.