Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Karukéra spur is an easternmost submerged rise of the Lesser Antilles fore-arc in the Guadeloupe archipelago, culminating about 4000 m above the fore-arc basin 150 km west of the deformation front. The analysis of 3500 km 2D high-resolution multichannel seismic reflection and multibeam bathymetric data, and the study of 14 core samples, allow for the first time to reconstruct its sedimentary anatomy and tectonic evolution. Seven seismic units (US1 to US7) are evidenced, organised into four major depositional sequences separated by erosional surfaces. Units US1 to US4 thicken to the south-southeast on the spur. The sedimentary deposits rest upon a deeply eroded metamorphic basement of the Caribbean Plate as in La Désirade Island. Sequence 1 (units US1 and US2) remains unknown in its lower part because it does not outcrop. Its upper part comprises early Miocene shallow water carbonates. Sequence S2 (Unit US3) only comprises an upper Miocene transgressive systems tract deposited into basinal environment. It is bounded by major erosional surfaces SB2 and SB3. Sequence 3 (US4 to US6) is Zanclean to Pleistocene. It is dominantly composed of shallow water, reefal deposits. Sequence 4 corresponds to recent deposits. The Karukéra spur experienced three main extensional episodes with alternations between uplift and subsidence periods. Uplifts are responsible for emersions and erosions. Subsidence severely drowned shallow water deposits. The first extensional episode led to the formation of horsts and grabens in the basement, prior to early Miocene deposits. The second extensional episode occurred during upper Miocene, in accordance with data in surrounding islands. The third tectonic episode developed since Calabrian. Noticeable is the constant reactivation of N130°–N150°, N150°–N180° and N40° trending faults since early Miocene and the neoformation of E–W trending faults since Calabrian. Our results suggest that at the latitude of Guadeloupean archipelago the Lesser Antilles subduction zone is an erosional margin because of the successive sweepings of the Santa Lucia then Tiburon Ridges.
ISSN: 0025-3227

hal-01172231
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01172231
DOI : 10.1016/j.margeo.2015.02.007

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The Tyrrhenian Sea is usually interpreted to be a Neogene back-arc basin that opened by continental rifting and oceanic spreading caused by the eastward migration of the Apennine subduction system from Tortonian to Pliocene times. Rifting of the Tyrrhenian Sea started first along the Eastern Sardinian margin during the Tortonian-Messinian times. The " METYSS " project aims at better constraining the relations between crustal tectonics, salt tectonics and sedimentation from Messinian times to present-day. The " METYSS 1 " cruise (2009, R/V "Téthys II"-INSU) allowed us to obtain about 1200 km of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles along the SE Corsican margin, and along the upper and middle parts of the Eastern Sardinian margin, Western Tyrrhenian. This new dataset clearly illustrates that this area has been highly dissected during the rifting stage by N-S trending normal faults delineating ridges and basins, as previously described. The Messinian seismic markers (UU and MU) locally display fan-shaped stratal geometries, but the mechanism responsible for such geometries, i.e., salt tectonics or rifting, has yet to be carefully deciphered. We also mapped the spatial distribution of the mobile salt (MU). The highly variable thickness of the confined salt basins may be related to the initial pre-Messinian basin geometry or to the fact that sediment deposition was syn-rift. Southeastward, salt tectonics appears highly vigorous. More surprisingly, our data demonstrate that some of the major faults have been significantly reactivated during the post-rift period, up to late Quaternary time. Such recent fault activity has been recorded by bathymetric scarps and associated footwall debris flows. Moreover, some of this post-rift deformation can be evidenced within the Plio-Quaternary sequence by a regional unconformity. The post-Miocene deformation style varies greatly between different areas of the margin, and can also be strongly influenced by the presence or absence of mobile Messinian evaporites (MU).
13ème Congrès Français de Sédimentologie
Dijon, France

hal-00657310
https://hal-brgm.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00657310

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
In order to better constrain the relationship between tectonics and sedimentation of the Eastern Sardinian Margin, from the Messinian to the present day (METYSS project), a lithostratigraphic study was carried out on the Late Neogene deposits along the Cedrino Valley (eastern Sardinia). The late Neogene evolution is documented from sedimentological and tectonic analysis, biostratigraphic dating, and by mapping and logging stratigraphic sections. Previous authors have differentiated an early Pliocene marine formation from an older continental formation, possibly Miocene, the entire system being covered by late Pliocene to Quaternary lava flows. Preliminary biostratigraphic data suggest the absence of the lowermost Pliocene, based on the absence of Globorotalia margaritae and the presence of Globorotalia puncticulata, implying a sediment age between 3.81 and 2.41 Ma. At the foot of the Fiuli cliff, some mud clasts include a coccolith microflora, Tortonian in age, suggesting reworking. The Pliocene marine deposits consist of a single filling sequence instead of a succession of superimposed sequences as we would expect during this period of time; the occurrences of terms rarely respect the usual transgressive-regressive succession. Contrasting bathymetric environments (fore-shore, pro-delta, shelf or upper slope) can be abruptly superimposed on top of the other, along few meter thick intervals. A rapidly flooded term is observed in several sites and indicates a spatial variability over only a few kilometers distance. Some deep water deposits are in the middle of the infilling Pliocene sequence, whereas shallower water deposits can be repeated along a vertical section, or even interrupted by emersion. These marked differences can express syn-, or possibly post-sedimentation tectonic uplifts. The 10–25° bed dips originated through local tectonic uplift. At Fiuli, the geometry of the bedding planes is indicative of tilting toward the west, in a direction opposite to the one observed at Onifai. These Pliocene series form a wide syncline with an approximately NNE–SSW axis. This morpho-structural behavior appears to be largely atypical of this East-Sardinian coastal area.
ISSN: 1040-6182

hal-01134707
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01134707
DOI : 10.1016/j.quaint.2014.11.022

Éditeur(s) : Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
Résumé : During the Geobrésil cruise of the R. V. Jean Charcot (1973) several marine geophysical lines, including bathymetry, magnetism, continuous seismic as well as sonobuoy profiles have been run across a deep marginal plateau extending on the southeastern Brazilian margin and known as the Sao Paulo Plateau. These data indicate the presence of a thick sedimentary cover (more than 4s DTT) on the upper slope and up to 3s DTT thick on the lower slope and rise. The entire slope is highly disturbed by salt diapiric structures mostly apparent between the 2 000-3 000 bathymetriclines and comparable to the ones described in the western Mediterranean sea. The Sao Paulo scarp, bordering the deep marginal plateau to the South-West, is believed to be a discontinuous and "en échelon» structure probably related to numerous and closely spaced early fracture zones. The overal structures Of two areas - the Sao Paulo and the Angolan margin - are briefly cOmpared and Preliminary results of DSDP holes 356 and 364 suggest a similar sedimentary history, during mesozoic times, for both margins. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias (Academia Brasileira de Ciencias), 1976 , Vol. 48 , N. Supp. , P. 187-198

Droits : Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1976/publication-4990.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4990/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : On November 21, 2004, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred offshore, 10 km south of Les Saintes archipelago in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). There were more than 30000 aftershocks recorded in the following two years, most of them at shallow depth near the islands of the archipelago. The main shock and its main aftershock of February 14, 2005 (M-w = 5.8) ruptured a NE-dipping normal fault (Roseau fault), mapped and identified as active from high-resolution bathymetric data a few years before. This fault belongs to an arc-parallel en echelon fault system that follows the inner edge of the northern part of the Lesser Antilles arc, accommodating the sinistral component of oblique convergence between the North American and Caribbean plates. The distribution of aftershocks and damage (destruction and landslides) are consistent with the main fault plane location and attitude. The slip model of the main shock, obtained by inverting jointly global broadband and local strong motion records, is characterized by two main slip zones located 5 to 10 km to the SE and NW of the hypocenter. The main shock is shown to have increased the Coulomb stress at the tips of the ruptured plane by more than 4 bars where most of the aftershocks occurred, implying that failures on fault system were mainly promoted by static stress changes. The earthquake also had an effect on volcanic activity since the Boiling Lake in Dominica drained twice, probably as a result of the extensional strain induced by the earthquake and its main aftershock.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-solid Earth (0148-0227) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2011-10 , Vol. 116 , N. B10301 , P. 1-25

Droits : Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00200/31099/29511.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2011JB008310
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00200/31099/

Éditeur(s) : Université de Bucarest - Université de Bretagne occidentale
Résumé : This study is focusing on the architecture and recent sedimentary evolution of the Danube channel, the youngest channel-levee system in the Danube deep-sea fan. The study was conducted as part of the BlaSON French-Romanian Project, and combined high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and chirp profiles with multibeam bathymetry and piston cores. This data set was acquired in 1998 during a joint survey IFREMER-GeoEcoMar of the north-western Black Sea. Previous seismic and acoustic data were also used. The Danube deep-sea fan is a large passive-margin mud-rich fan. Like the other systems of this type (Amazon fan, Mississippi fan or Indus fan) the Danube fan consists of stacked channel-levee systems intercalated with mass-transport deposits. Seismic and sedimentary facies in the Danube fan are similar to those identified in most of the mud-rich systems. Nevertheless, the Danube fan is distinguished by a specific feature: its development in a freshwater environment. This is due to the peculiar water-level history of the Black Sea controlled by the link to the Mediterranean through the Strait of Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. This connexion was successively interrupted (during sea level lowstands) and re-established (when the sea level was rising above the Bosphorus). Temporary absence of marine water influx during lowstands together with large freshwater inputs from the Danube and other major rivers changed the Black Sea into a freshwater lake during times of fan activity. This peculiarity possibly favourised the development of hyperpycnal flow at the Danube mouth and the initiation of turbidity currents in the deep-sea fan. The Danube channel is directly connected to the large shelf-indenting Danube canyon (also known as Viteaz canyon). The Danube canyon is deeply incised into the shelf margin for 26 km landward of the shelfbreak. During lowstands this canyon acted as the most important path for sediment supply to the deep sea in this part of the continental margin. It consists of a main trough with steep flanks, and a meandering thalweg cut into the flat canyon floor, attesting for the development of the canyon by erosion in the entrenched axial thalweg. Sections with specific morphology, orientation and gradient identified along the canyon, are interpreted as phases of landward expansion of the canyon. Internal structure of the canyon shows several erosional surfaces, which indicate that the present morphology of the canyon is the result of its polyphasic evolution. Instability in the zone of the canyon is related to the important sediment supply at the Danube mouth, to the presence of the gas in the surficial sediment, and possibly under a structural control. The upper part of the Danube channel (between the Danube canyon and ~1400 m depth) consists in a single leveed-channel that has undergone significant overbank deposition, as attested by the well-developed levees. The levees are strongly asymmetrical, being higher and wider on the right-hand side looking downstream. This type of asymmetry is rather common in deep-sea fans, and is generally attributed to the Coriolis effect (Menard, 1955). The channel is slightly sinuous, partially filled and incised by an entrenched thalweg, connected to the axial thalweg of the Danube canyon. Detailed seismic investigation inside the channel trough documented several depositional phases within the channel fill, separated by erosional surfaces. These surfaces are associated with distinct terraces identified on the multibeam bathymetry, that can be followed downward along the main trough axis. The valley fill deposits (where not removed by the subsequent erosional event) show an axial HAR (High Amplitude Reflections) seismic facies with lateral lower amplitude continuous reflections consisting in a levee facies, as proved by sampling. This indicates that filling up was associated with flow within the channel, and not with interruption of fan activity. On the middle slope below 1400 m, this single channel bifurcates through repeated avulsions. As a result, several highly meandering channels developed. The onlap relationships between these channels indicate that only one channel was active at a time. Each phase of avulsion resulted in a depositional unit consisting in a basal unchannelized lobe defined as High Amplitude Reflection Packets (HARP, Flood et al., 1991) that underlies a channel-levee system. The deposition of HARPs was associated with the readjustment of the longitudinal profile of the channel after the breaching of a levee, which resulted in remobilization of upslope channel deposits and eroded levees. When this adjustment was complete, erosion ceased and levees began to develop above the HARPs (Pirmez et al., 1997). All the identified phases of avulsion followed the same pattern: (1) breaching of the lower and narrower left levee; (2) building of a unit of High Amplitude Reflector Packets (HARP) basinward of the bifurcation point by the unchannelized flow, while the former channel was abandoned; and (3) initiation of a new meandering leveed channel. The northward migration of the resulting units through repeated bifurcations is influenced by the asymmetry between levees (hence by the Coriolis effect), and confined between the high levees of the initial phase of the Danube channel (to the south) and the steep relief of the Dniepr fan (to the north). Structure of the fan valley fill indicate that the erosional surfaces inside the upper channel could be formed in response of successive avulsions, by the adjustment of the longitudinal profile of the channel following the breaching of a levee wall. Sediments removed by erosion formed the HARP lobes basinward of the avulsion point. When this adjustment was complete, a channel-levee system developed downward of the bifurcation, overlying the HARPs, but also upward of this point, as a confined channel-levee system inside the erosional trough of the fan valley. Fluvial incisions identified on the continental shelf, together with the coastline location during the last active period of the Danube channel, indicated that the paleo-Danube was directed towards the head of the Danube canyon. Paleo-Danube mouth was fairly close (ca. 10 km) to the Danube canyon, supplying sediment to the Danube channel. Furthermore, hyperpycnal flow probably prevailed in the freshwater environment that characterized the Black Sea during times of fan activity. These conditions would have enabled the development of a quasi-continuous river-canyon-deep-sea fan system, ensuring the effective transfer of the sediment between the coastal zone and the deep sea.
Ce travail est consacré à l'étude de l'architecture et de l'évolution sédimentaire récente de l'éventail profond du Danube, en particulier de son dernier système chenal-levée: le chenal du Danube. L'étude a été réalisée dans le cadre du projet de coopération franco-roumaine BlaSON, à partir des données sismiques, bathymétriques-acoustiques et sédimentologiques acquises en 1998 lors d'une campagne en mer Noire réalisée par IFREMER et GeoEcoMar. Des données sismiques et acoustiques antérieures ont été également utilisées. L'éventail profond du Danube s'enserre dans la catégorie des grands éventails vaseux. Comme les autres systèmes de ce genre (tel que les éventails de l'Amazone, du Mississippi ou de l'Indus) il est constitué d'une succession de systèmes chenaux-levées intercalés avec des dépôts de transport en masse. Le fonctionnement de l'éventail était conditionné par la baisse du niveau marin lors des périodes glaciaires. Ses faciès sismiques et sédimentaires s'apparentent aux faciès qui caractérisent la plupart des éventails de ce type. L'éventail du Danube constitue néanmoins un cas particulier parmi les autres systèmes étudiés, du fait de son fonctionnement dans un bassin lacustre. Ceci est dû à la situation spécifique de la mer Noire dont la connexion avec la Méditerranée, par le détroit de Bosphore et la mer de Marmara, a été successivement interrompue (au cours de périodes de bas niveau) et reprise (quand le niveau marin remontait en dépassant le seuil du Bosphore). L'absence de l'apport d'eau salée pendant les périodes glaciaires, associée avec l'augmentation de l'apport fluvial, ont déterminé l'installation d'un milieu d'eau douce dans la mer Noire à chaque fois que la baisse du niveau permettait la reprise du fonctionnement de l'éventail profond. Cette situation particulière aurait favorisé la formation des courants hyperpycnaux à l'embouchure d'un fleuve du débit du Danube qui déversait ses eaux turbides dans un bassin lacustre, et aurait donc influencé l'apparition de courants de turbidité dans l'éventail profond. Le chenal du Danube s'est développé sur la pente continentale en prolongation du canyon du Danube (ou Viteaz) auquel il est directement connecté. Le canyon est incisé de manière significative (26 km) dans la plate-forme continentale. Au cours de bas-niveaux marins il constituait la principale voie de transfert des sédiments terrigènes vers le bassin profond dans cette partie de la marge. Le canyon est constitué par une entaille avec des flancs abrupts et un talweg axial incisé, qui montre l'importance du processus d'érosion du fond pour le développement du canyon. Les segments qui ont été identifiés le long du canyon, avec des morphologies, des orientations et des pentes spécifiques, sont interprétés comme des phases d'avancement du canyon vers la côte. Plusieurs incisions sont visibles dans la structure interne du canyon et témoignent que la morphologie actuelle du canyon est le résultat de son évolution polyphasée. L'instabilité de la zone du canyon est en relation avec les apports sédimentaires importants à l'embouchure du Danube, avec la présence du gaz dans les sédiments superficiels, et possiblement sous un contrôle structural. Sur la pente supérieure (entre le canyon du Danube et environ 1400 m de profondeur) le chenal du Danube présente des levées bien développées et fortement asymétriques, avec la levée droite plus haute et plus large que la levée gauche. Ce type d'asymétrie, fréquemment décrit dans les éventails profonds est généralement attribué à l'effet Coriolis (Menard, 1955). Le chenal est légèrement sinueux, partiellement comblé et incisé par un talweg axial qui représente la continuation sur la pente du talweg incisé dans le canyon du Danube. L'analyse sismique détaillée du remplissage de la vallée montre plusieurs phases de dépôt, séparées par des discontinuités érosives. Ces surfaces d'érosion correspondent à des terrasses emboîtées, relativement parallèles le long de la vallée, visibles dans la bathymétrie. Les dépôts qui constituent le remplissage du chenal présentent un faciès sismique de type HAR (High Amplitude Reflections) dans l'axe du chenal, partiellement (ou parfois totalement) enlevé par les phases d'érosion subséquentes, qui continue latéralement avec des réflexions litées correspondant à un faciès sédimentaire de levée. Le remplissage de la vallée a été donc associé avec des écoulements dans le chenal, et non pas avec l'interruption de son fonctionnement. Sur la pente inférieure, le chenal unique bifurque plusieurs fois par avulsion et forme de nouveaux systèmes chenaux-levées méandriformes. Ces systèmes se succèdent verticalement en onlap, ce qui montre qu'un seul chenal a été actif à la fois. Chaque phase d'avulsion a eu comme résultat la mise en place d'une unité constituée par un lobe défini comme "High Amplitude Reflection Packets" (HARP, Flood et al., 1991) à la base, et un système chenal-levée au sommet. Le dépôt d'un lobe HARP est associé avec de l'érosion dans le chenal en amont du point d'avulsion pour l'ajustement de son profil après la rupture de la levée. Quand le chenal a retrouvé son profil d'équilibre, l'érosion a cessé et des levées ont commencé à se développer au-dessus des HARPs (Pirmez et al., 1997). Toutes les phases d'avulsion se sont développées d'après le même modèle: (1) la rupture de la levée gauche, plus étroite; (2) le dépôt d'un lobe HARP par les écoulements non-chenalisés en aval du point d'avulsion, et l'abandon de l'ancien chenal; (3) l'initiation d'un nouveau système chenal-levée. La migration systématique du chenal vers le nord est influencée par l'assymétrie des levées (donc par la force de Coriolis), et confinée entre les grandes levées de la phase initiale du chenal du Danube, au sud, et le relief abrupt de l'éventail du Dniepr au nord. La structure sédimentaire du chenal du Danube indique que les surfaces érosives à l'intérieur du remplissage du chenal se seraient formées en réponse aux avulsions, du fait de l'ajustement du profil du chenal après la rupture d'une levée. Les sédiments du chenal érodés au cours de ce processus ont formé les lobes HARP. Quand le chenal a retrouvé son profil d'équilibre, un système chenal-levée s'est développé en aval du point d'avulsion au dessus du lobe HARP, mais aussi en amont de ce point, où il se trouve confiné dans la vallée érosive. Les incisions fluviatiles identifiés sur la plate-forme continentale et la position de la ligne de côte pendant la dernière période d'activité du chenal du Danube montrent que le paléo-Danube se dirigeait directement vers la tête du canyon du Danube. Son embouchure était située à proximité du canyon, qui alimentait le chenal du Danube. Cependant, les courants hyperpycnaux devaient prévaloir dans le milieu de salinité réduite qui caractérisait la mer Noire lors des périodes actives de l'éventail. Ces conditions auraient favorisé la mise en place d'un système quasi-continu fleuve-canyon-éventail profond, qui contrôlait le transfert des sédiments entre la côte et le bassin profond.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2002/these-1206.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1206/

Éditeur(s) : The American Association of Petroleum Geologlists
Résumé : The west African continental margin between Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Walvis Boy (Southwcst Africa) was surveyed in 1971 by the R/V Jean Charcot. Fiftyeight seismic-reflection (flexotir source), bathymetric (3.5 and 12 kc), gravimetric, and magnetic profiles were obtained. The seaward limit of an evaporitic zone outlined during the survey is at the boundary between continental slope and continental rise. Variation of depth of this limit as a function of latitude shows the presence of a large offset at 11°S which seems to be related to an east-east-southeast line of magnetic seamounts cutting into the continental slope. The Annobon-Cameroun volcanic axis separates the salt zones of the Nigerian basin and Congo-Angola basin. The northern limit of Salt deposition in the Congo-Angola basin is marked near 1°N by a strong southwest-northeast magnetic trend. On the south it extends to necr 14°s. The Walvis Ridge, located farther south, does not seem to have an effect on evaporite deposition. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]
The American Association of Petroleum Geologlists Bulletin (The American Association of Petroleum Geologlists), 1973 , Vol. 57 , N. 9 , P. 1658-1671

Droits : The American Association of Petroleum Geologlists
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1973/publication-5123.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/5123/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-villars
Résumé : The aim of the HYFIFLUX-SONNE 99 cruise was the geological, biological and chemical study of the 2 triple-junctions characterizing the oceanic accretion in the North Fiji Basin. Multibeam bathymetric coverage, in situ observations and sampling confirmed the existence of an active spreading ridge immediately west of the Fiji islands (WFR), and gave an evaluation of the magmatic and hydrothermal activity of the central ridge (CSR). New hydrothermal sites have been discovered and sampled.
La campagne HYFIFLUX-SONNE 99 a eu pour objectif l'étude géologique, biologique et chimique des 2 triples jonctions qui caractérisent l'accrétion océanique dans le bassin nord fidjien. La couverture bathymétrique multifaisceaux, l'observation in situ et l'échantillonnage ont permis de confirmer l'existence d'un axe d'accrétion actif immédiatement à l'Ouest des îles Fidji (WFR), et d'évaluer l'activité magmatique et hydrothermale à l'extrémité nord de l'axe central (CSR). De nouveaux sites hydrothermaux ont été découverts et échantillonnés.
Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences Serie II Fascicule A-Sciences de la Terre et des Planetes (Gauthier-villars), 1995-08 , Vol. 321 , N. 3 , P. 239-246

Droits : Académie des Sciences
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00183/29453/27843.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00183/29453/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : Emplacement of post-glacial turbidites is commonly controlled by rapid changes in sea level or by seismicity. On the continental rise of the Gulf of Lions (Western Mediterranean), an aseismic area, we identified turbiditic beds deposited during the rising stage and highstand of sea level. Swath bathymetry, sediment cores, in situ Cone Penetrating Tests (CPTU), heavy mineral associations and radiocarbon dating determined the source, composition, distribution and age of the turbiditic beds. Turbidites are composed of homogeneous to positively graded silts to medium sand with quartz (up to 90%), shell debris and shelfal benthic faunas. Their distribution on the sea floor is very patchy and controlled by abundant inherited erosional bedforms. Their source is found in relict regressive sands at the outershelf. Their deposition occurred just after the onset of the post-glacial sea level rise and the concomitant sediment starvation of the Rhone deep sea turbiditic system until recently. Whilst canyons are fed with sand by strong seasonal hydro-sedimentary dynamics on the outershelf, the emplacement of post-glacial turbidites is not controlled by sea level changes but probably by the periodic flushing of the canyons. Our study revealed that this low energy aseismic margin undergoes significant transport of sand, down to the base of slope, during the sea-level rise and the Holocene highstand.
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2009-02 , Vol. 257 , N. 1-4 , P. 65-86

Droits : 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6316.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.margeo.2008.10.013
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6316/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : We describe for the first time a set of large active thrusts and folds near the foot of the easternmost Algerian margin, Western Mediterranean, from swath bathymetry and high-resolution seismic data acquired in 2005 during the Maradja2/Samra cruise. This active system resumes a previous passive margin and creates growth strata deposition on the limbs of large folds, resulting in the development of perched basins at the foot of the margin since less than similar to 1 Ma. They form a set of overlapping fault segments verging toward the Algerian basin, in a way similar to what has been observed off eastern Algiers on the rupture zone of the 2003 Mw 6.8 Boumerdes earthquake. The horizontal shortening rate across large folds is estimated to be of the order of 1 mm/yr. Although no historical earthquakes are reported here, these fault segments could have been responsible for large (M similar to 7.5) events in the past. This young tectonic system further supports the hypothesis of subduction inception of the Neogene oceanic lithosphere in the context of the Africa-Eurasia convergence.
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2009-06 , Vol. 261 , N. 1-4 , P. 17-32

Droits : 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6850.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.margeo.2008.05.016
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6850/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
We show first results of 3D simulation of sea currents in a realistic context. We use the full Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible viscous fluid. The problem is solved using a second order incremental projection method associated with the finite volume of the staggered (MAC) scheme for the spatial discretization. After validation on classical cases, it is used in a numerical simulation of the Pointe à Pitre harbour area. The use of the fictious domain method permits us to take into account the complexity of bathymetric data and allows us to work with regular meshes and thus preserves the efficiency essential for a 3D code.
ESAIM : Proceedings
Guidel, France

hal-00770270
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00770270
DOI : 10.1051/proc/201235025

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Manque : organisateur de la manifestation - éléments/proceedings
With the new data on bathymetry, currentology, in this ecosystem and the abiotic variables studied from February to May 2007, a review of the Manche-à-Eau’s biological zonation recently stated from the fishassemblage is proposed. The water volume turnover at each tide (14,8%) twice a day combined with an active and various hydrodynamism contribute to vivify the lagoon andprovide information for a better interpretation of the Well-Being Index values and the populational parameters gradients of the fish assemblage. During the studied period, no gradient is observed with the abiotic variables. The water characteristics are homogene-ous verywhere in the lagoon, in the water column and whatever the period studied (temperature: 30,02°C; salinity: 36,16 ‰; pH:8,29; turbidity: 6,10 mg/L; conductivity: 5,51S/m; dissolved oxygen: 7,18mg/L; dissolved solids: 32,78g/Ll; osmolarity:1021,7milliosmoles). A revised biological zonation of the Manche-à-Eau lagoon is pro-posed. According to the quality observed, it is made of three zones, instead four, from II to IV: the zone II is more spread at South and narrow along the island, the zone III occupies the geater part of the ecosystem and the zone IV centered on the two main depressions at South and West, on the shallows and its North-West border and the end of the sector enclaved at South-West.
Con los nuevos datos sobre batimetría y la corrientología en este ecosistema y las variables abióticas estudiadas de febrero a mayo del 2007, se propone una revisión de la zonación biológica recientemente establecida en cuanto a la agrupación de peces del Manche-à-Eau. El volumen de agua renovada dos veces al día en cada marea (14.8%) combinado a un hidrodinamismo activo y variado contribuyen a verificar la laguna, y aportan elementos para una mejor interpretación de los valores de los índices de buen estado y de los diferentes parámetros poblacionales de la ictiofáuna presente. Durante el período estudiado no se observó ningúngradiente con los parámetros abióticos. Las características del agua son homogéneas a lo largo de toda la laguna. En la columna de agua en cualquiera de los períodos considerados (temperatura: 30,02°C; salinidad: 36,16 ‰; pH: 8,29; turbidez: 6,10 mg/L;conductividad: 5,51 S/m; oxígeno disuelto: 7,18 mg/L; sólidos disueltos: 32,78g/L; osmolaridad: 1021,7miliosmoles). Se propone una zonación biológica rectificada. De acuerdo a la calidad observada, esta, está compuesta por tres zonas en lugar de cuatro: de II a IV, la zona II está mas dispersa al sur y es mas estrecha a lo largo de la isla, la zona III domina la mayor parte del ecosistema y lazona IV está centrada en las dos principales depresiones al sur y al oeste, las zonas someras y en su borde al noroeste al igual que del sector enclavado al suroeste.
Avec les nouvelles données sur la bathymétrie et la courantologie de cet écosystème et les paramètres physicochimiques étudiés entre février et mai 2007, c’est une actualisation de la zonation biologique établie récemment à partir de l’assemblage de poissons y séjournant qui est proposée dans cette étude. En effet, le volume d’eau renouvelé deux fois par jour à chaque marée (14,8%) combiné à un hydrodynamisme actif et varié contribuent à vivifier la lagune, et apportent des éléments pour une meilleure interprétation des valeurs des indices de bien-être et des gradients des paramètres populationnels de l’ichtyofaune présente. Durant la période étudiée, aucun gradient n’est observé avec les paramètres abiotiques. La caractéristique des eaux est homogène partout dans la lagune, sa colonne d’eau et aux différentes périodes considérées (température : 30,02°C ; salinité : 36,16 ‰ ; pH : 8,29 ; turbidité : 6,10 mg/L ; conductivité : 5,51 S/m ; oxygène dissous : 7,18 mg/L ; solides dissous : 32,78g/L ; osmolarité : 1021,7milliosmoles). Une zonation biologique rectifiée est proposée. Plus conforme à la qualité observée, elle est composée de trois zones, au lieu de quatre, allant de II à IV: la zone II un peu plus étendue au Sud et plus étroite le long de l’île, une zone III dominante sur l’ensemble de la lagune, et une zone IV centrée sur les deux principales dépressions au Sud et à l’Ouest, le haut-fond et sa bordure au Nord-Ouest ainsi que le fond du secteur enclavé au Sud-Ouest.
Proceedings of the 61st Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
Le Gosier, Guadeloupe, France

hal-01600920
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01600920
PRODINRA : 384820

Éditeur(s) : Institut océanographie
Résumé : The aim of this paper is to present in a practical fashion the status of the use of remote sensing for the study of coral reef environments through the analysis of work published in the years 1980-2000. We review the scales of the potential work and of that actually conducted, the principal applications and their limiting factors. We detail these limitations which are of a technological nature (spatial and spectral resolution of sensors), as well as often of a conceptual (role of remote sensing in the study) or methodological (image processing) nature. The understanding of these limitations, in relation to the reality of the field, allows identification of work which could be undertaken in the years 2000.
Cet article présente, de façon pragmatique, le bilan de l’usage de la télédétection pour l’étude des milieux coralliens, à travers l’analyse des travaux publiés dans les vingt dernières années. Nous exposons les échelles de travail potentielles et celles réellement pratiquées, les principales applications et leurs facteurs limitants. Nous détaillons ces limites qui sont d’ordre technologique (résolutions spatiales et spectrales des capteurs), mais aussi bien souvent d’ordre conceptuel (place de la télédétection dans l’étude), ou méthodologique (traitement des images). La compréhension de ces limites, confrontées à la réalité du terrain, permet de cadrer les travaux qui pourront être menés au début du troisième millénaire.
Océanis (0182-0745) (Institut océanographie), 2000 , Vol. 26 , N. 3 , P. 311 349

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00089/20044/17685.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00089/20044/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
Despite convergent margins being unstable systems, most reports of huge submarine slope failure have come from oceanic volcanoes and passive margins. Swath bathymetry and seismic profiles of the northern Hikurangi subduction system, New Zealand, show a tapering 65-30 km wide by 65 km deep margin indentation, with a giant, 3150+_630 km 3, blocky, debris avalanche deposit projecting 40 km out across horizontal trench fill, and a debris flow deposit projecting over 100 km. Slide blocks are well-bedded, up to 18 km across and 1.2 km high, the largest being at the avalanche deposit's leading edge. Samples dredged from them are mainly Miocene shelf calc-mudstones similar to those outcropping around the indentation. Cores from cover beds suggest that failure occurred-170 +_40 ka, possibly synchronously with a major extension collapse in the upper indentation. However, the northern part of the indentation is much older. The steep, straight northern wall is close to the direction of plate convergence and probably formed around 2.0-0.16 Ma as a large seamount subducted, leaving in its wake a deep groove obliquely across the margin and an unstable triangle of fractured rock in the 60 ø angle between groove and oversteepened margin front. The triangle collapsed as a blocky avalanche, leaving a scalloped southern wall and probably causing a large tsunami. Tentative calculations of compacted volumes suggest that the indentation is over 600 km 3 larger than the avalanche, supporting a two-stage origin that includes subduction erosion. Since failure, convergence has carried the deposits-9 km back toward the margin, causing internal compression. The eventual subduction/accretion of the Ruatoria avalanche explains the scarcity of such features on active margins and perhaps the nature of olistostromes in fold belts.
ISSN: 2169-9275

hal-01261406
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261406
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261406/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01261406/file/CollotJGR2001.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/2001JB900004

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Satellite and in situ chlorophyll concentration data collected as part of VALidation HYperspectral of a BIOgeochemical model (ValHyBio), a PNTS-sponsored project dedicated to satellite ocean-colour imaging of the Southwest Pacific, are analyzed to describe chlorophyll variability in the Coral Sea, a vast oligotrophic region characterized by a deep chlorophyll maximum and blue waters of high transparency. Average chlorophyll concentrations estimated from MODIS-Aqua are very low (<0.2 mg m-3) except in the vicinity of main islands and coral reefs, where enrichment may occur due to upwelling or internal waves that bring nutrients to the euphotic zone from the deep part of the water column. During the summer season, blooms of cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium) develop in the surface waters and may form large slicks. The nitrogen fixed by these slicks is a potential source of new nitrogen later assimilated by picoplankton and the marine food chain. Coastal areas exhibit higher chlorophyll concentrations because of nutrient input from the land, as observed in 2008 around New Caledonia. In lagoon areas, the sea colour is influenced by turbidity and bathymetry, and the MODIS OC3 algorithm is inadequate, with a systematic overestimation of chlorophyll concentration in the New Caledonia lagoon. Improved bio-optical algorithms are needed for those turbid and shallow waters, to allow not only a better description of chlorophyll variability, but also evaluation of chlorophyll simulations by recently developed biogeochemical models.
of the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium, 18E
CAIRNS, Australia

hal-00746470
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00746470
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00746470/document

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Report
The Canadian coastline is the longest of any country in the world, and is at risk from tsunamis generated in three oceans. The current state of knowledge precludes a complete probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment, which would require quantification of a wide range of possible scenarios for each tsunami source, coupled with modelling that incorporates fine-resolution bathymetry and onland topography to adequately assess potential runup at the coast. This preliminary assessment presents a first attempt to quantify the tsunami hazard on the Canadian Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coastlines from local and far-field, earthquake and large landslide sources. For each source considered, we calculate the probability that tsunami runup at the coast will exceed 1.5 m (threshold for potential damage) and 3 m (significant damage potential), in a 50-year period. For each coastal region, we then combine the relative hazard from each source to calculate the overall probability that the coastline in question will experience tsunami runup exceeding 1.5 m (and 3 m) within a 50-year period, from any geological source. We also consider the maximum runup levels expected to occur within time periods of 100, 500, 1000, and 2500 years.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00856677

hal-00856677
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00856677
DOI : 10.4095/292067

Résumé : L’arc des Petites Antilles résulte de la lente subduction vers l'Ouest des plaques Nord et Sud-Américaines sous la plaque Caraïbes (2cm/an). A la latitude de l’archipel guadeloupéen et à ~150 km à l’Ouest du front de déformation, le bassin d'avant-arc de Marie-Galante forme un bassin perché, incliné vers la fosse et limité vers l’Est par un haut-fond, l’Eperon Karukéra. À cette latitude, le bassin de Marie-Galante domine le prisme d’accrétion de la Barbade et fait face à la ride de Tiburon qui balaye la zone du Nord au Sud depuis la fin du Miocène supérieur. Le remplissage sédimentaire du Bassin de Marie-Galante montre des déformations actives au moins depuis ~30 millions d’années. L’objectif du travail est de reconstituer l’évolution tectono-sédimentaire de ce bassin pour apporter de nouvelles contraintes sur la compréhension globale de la zone de subduction frontale des Petites Antilles. Ce travail s'appuie sur les données de bathymétrie multifaisceaux et de sismique réflexion multi-traces haute résolution acquises lors des campagnes du programme KaShallow. Cette base de données, complétée de profils sismiques plus basse résolution de campagnes antérieures, permet d’avoir une couverture pseudo 3D et à quatre échelles de résolution de l'ensemble du bassin. Un échantillonnage par ROV et carottage ciblé a fourni 40 prélèvements dans les principales unités sismiques. Les analyses pétrologiques et les datations biostratigraphiques autorisent des reconstitutions paléo-environnementales depuis le Paléogène supérieur jusqu’à Actuel. L’interprétation sismique multi-échelle montre un bassin sédimentaire atteignant ~4,5s temps double (~4500 à 5625 m) sur un substratum magmatique pré-structuré. Ce bassin est composé de 5 grands ensembles sédimentaires (E-1, E1, E2, E3 et E4) subdivisés en 13 unités limitées par 14 surfaces de discontinuités. L’organisation séquentielle des unités sismiques permet de mettre en évidence 10 séquences de dépôts de troisièmes ordres (S-1 à S9). Le calage biostratigraphique de l’ensemble des séquences permet de proposer une évolution tectono-sédimentaire du bassin de l’Éocène à l’Actuel. Ainsi, nous distinguons quatre systèmes de failles normales associées à trois phases d’extensions qui contrôlent l’évolution architecturale et sédimentaire du bassin. 1/ Un système N050±10°E hérité, actif dès le Paléogène supérieur, qui contrôle le basculement général du bassin vers le SSE. Il est responsable de la formation de l'escarpement de Désirade d’environ 4500 m de dénivelé. Cette première extension est interprétée comme résultant de la fragmentation de l'avant-arc en réponse à l'augmentation du rayon de courbure de la zone de subduction. 2/ Un système N130°-N150°E, structurant à l’échelle de l’Éperon Karukéra, qui contrôle la sédimentation dès le Miocène inférieur et marque une première phase d'extension transverse à l’arc. 3/ Un système N160°-N180°E qui segmente le Bassin de Marie-Galante en un sous-bassin à l'Ouest et l'Éperon Karukéra à l'Est. Cette seconde extension, globalement perpendiculaire à la marge, s'accompagne d’une subsidence et d'une inversion de la polarité du bassin en réponse à son basculement vers la fosse qui débute au cours du Miocène moyen et se poursuit actuellement à l'Est du bassin. Cette évolution à long terme de l'avant-arc, concomitante avec le recul de l'arc volcanique vers l’Ouest, est considérée comme résultant d’une érosion basale de la plaque supérieure. 4/ Un système N090±10°E plus tardif est localisé au centre du bassin et qui contrôle le développement de plates-formes carbonatées néritiques sur certaines têtes de blocs, comme par exemple à Marie-Galante. Cette dernière extension, parallèle à l’arc, se manifeste dans le bassin à partir du Pliocène inférieur. Elle se superpose au régime d'extension perpendiculaire à l'avant-arc et est interprétée comme l'accommodation du partitionnement de la déformation en réponse à l’obliquité croissante du front subduction vers le Nord.
The Lesser Antilles result of the slow westward subduction of the North and South American plate under the Caribbean plate (2 cm / year). At the latitude of the Guadeloupe archipelago and ~ 150 km to the west of the deformation front, the fore-arc basin of Marie-Galante forms a perched basin tilted to the pit and limited to the East by a shoal, the Spur Karukéra. At this latitude, Marie-Galante basin dominates the accretionary prism of Barbados and faces wrinkle Tiburon sweeping the area from North to South from the late Miocene. The sedimentary fill Basin Marie-Galante shows active deformation since at least ~ 30 million years. The aim of the work is to reconstruct the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the basin to provide new constraints on the overall understanding of the frontal subduction zone Lesser Antilles. This work relies on multibeam bathymetry data and high-resolution seismic reflection multi-traces acquired during campaigns KaShallow program. This database, supplemented by lower resolution of previous campaigns seismic profiles, provides a pseudo-3D coverage and four scales of resolution of the entire basin. ROV sampling and targeted core provided 40 samples in the main seismic units. Petrological analysis and biostratigraphic dating allow paleoenvironmental reconstructions from the upper Paleogene up Actuel. Seismic interpretation multiscale shows a sedimentary basin reaching ~ 4,5s double (~ 4500-5625 m) on a substrate pre-structured magma. This basin consists of 5 main sedimentary units (E-1, E1, E2, E3 and E4) divided into 13 units bounded by discontinuities 14 surfaces. The sequential organization of seismic units allows to highlight sequences 10 deposits of third order (S-1 to S9). The biostratigraphic calibration of all sequences able to offer a tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Eocene basin to Present. Thus, we distinguish four normal fault systems associated with three phases of extensions that control the architectural and sedimentary evolution of the basin. 1 / A system N050 ± 10 ° E inherited assets from the upper Paleogene, which controls the overall pelvic tilt towards the SSE. He is responsible for the formation of the escarpment Désirade about 4500 m elevation. The first extension is interpreted as resulting from the fragmentation of the fore-arc in response to the increase in the radius of curvature of subduction. 2 / A system N130 ° -N150 ° E, structuring across the Spur Karukéra, which controls sediment from the Miocene and marks the first phase of transverse extension arc. 3 / A system N160 ° E ° -N180 which segments Basin Marie-Galante in a sub-basin to the west and the Spur Karukéra in the East. This second extension, generally perpendicular to the margin, is accompanied by subsidence and reversing the polarity of the basin in response to his switch to the pit, beginning during the Middle Miocene and is ongoing in the East the basin. This long-term evolution of the forearc, concurrent with the decline in volcanic arc to the west, is considered as resulting from a basal erosion of the top plate. 4 / A system N090 ± 10 ° later E is located in the center of the basin and controlling the development of neritic carbonate platforms on certain blocks heads, such as Marie-Galante. This latest extension, parallel to the arc occurs in the basin from the lower Pliocene. It is superimposed on the expansion plan perpendicular to the fore-arc and is interpreted as the accommodation of the partitioning of deformation in response to the increasing obliquity front subduction north.

http://www.theses.fr/2014AGUY0799/document

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The present work is based on a set of bottom trawl surveys performed in the Gulf of Lions between 1983 and 1992. A new method which couples the STATIS multitable approach with the logic of correspondence analysis (CoA) is proposed to study the stability of spatial organization of demersal assemblages in terms of species composition. This CoA version of STATIS has provided a clear representation of the stable part of the spatial structure of the assemblages. In addition, it gave an insight into the interannual variations of the distribution of each population around the reference structure. Our results showed that the demersal assemblages of the Gulf of Lions exhibited strong spatial structuring, mainly orientated along a bathymetric gradient. This gradient is structured around three major regions: the coast, the continental shelf and the continental slope. Despite sampling variations that occurred during the course of the study, the analysis showed a high degree of reproducibility for this spatial pattern. With the exception of Mullus surmuletus, the species considered in this investigation exhibit limited variations in their spatial distribution. Finally, in the absence of log-books covering the activities of commercial fishing vessels, these findings constitute a base of reference for the analysis of the dynamics of fishing fleets exploiting the demersal resources of the Gulf of Lions.
Ce travail porte sur une série de campagnes de chalutage de fond réalisé dans le golfe du Lion entre 1983 et 1992. Une nouvelle méthode fondée sur le couplage de la technique multitableaux STATIS et de l'analyse factorielle des correspondances (AFC) est proposée afin d'étudier l'organisation spatio-temporelle des assemblages démersaux, poissons et quelques céphalopodes, en terme de composition spécifique. Cette version AFC de STATIS a fourni une représentation claire de la part stable de l'organisation spatiale des assemblages. De plus, elle nous a permis d'appréhender les variations interannuelles de la distribution de chaque population autour de la structure de référence. Nos résultats montrent que les assemblages démersaux du golfe du Lion présentent une forte structuration spatiale, principalement orientée selon un gradient bathymétrique. Ce dernier est structuré en trois grandes régions: la côte, le plateau continental et le talus continental. En dépit des variations d'échantillonnage survenues au cours de la période d'étude, l'analyse a mis en évidence une forte reproductibilité de ce schéma d'organisation. A l'exception de Mullus surmuletus, les espèces considérées dans ce travail présentent des variations limitées de leur distribution spatiale. Enfin, en l'absence de livres de bord sur l'activité des navires professionnels, ces résultats constituent une base de référence pour l'analyse de la dynamique des flottilles exploitant les ressources démersales dans le golfe du Lion.
Aquatic Living Resources (Elsevier), 1998-03 , Vol. 11 , N. 2 , P. 75-85

Droits : 1998 Published by Elsevier SAS
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/1998/publication-875.pdf
DOI:10.1016/S0990-7440(98)80063-6
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/875/

Éditeur(s) : Société Française d'Ichtyologie
Résumé : Following the volcanic eruption of April 2007, nine specimens of Argyripnus (family Sternoptychidae, order Stomiiformes) were among the fish caught at the sea surface at Reunion Island (Indian Ocean). Seven species were described in this genus: A. ephippiatus Gilbert & Cramer, 1897 from Hawaii, A. iridescens McCulloch, 1926 from Australia. A. atlanticus Maul, 1952 from Madeira, A. brocki Struhsaker, 1973 from Hawaii, Argyripnus sp. Yamamoto in Okamura et al., 1982 from Japan, A. electronus Parin, 1992 from the South-east Pacific and A. pharos Harold & Lancaster, 2003 from the Indian Ocean and the central-west Pacific. The Argyripnus from Reunion Island is easily distinguished from the other species by the position of the anus just before the beginning of the anal fin (about half distance between the pelvic base and the beginning of the anal fin in the other species). The new Argyripnus from Reunion Island is described under the name A. hulleyi. Some indications are given on the bathymetric and geographical distributions of all the Argyripnus species. After a brief comparison of the characteristics of the seven species, an identification key is provided.
Cybium (0399-0974) (Société Française d'Ichtyologie), 2009-03 , Vol. 33 , N. 1 , P. 39-43

Droits : 2009 Société Française d'Ichtyologie
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6600.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6600/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
We explore the tectono-magmatic processes in the western West Philippine Basin, Philippine Sea Plate, using bathymetric data acquired in 2003 and 2004. The northwestern part of the basin formed through a series of northwestward propagating rifts. We identify at least five sequences of propagating rifts, probably triggered by mantle flow away from the mantle thermal anomaly that is responsible for the origin of the Benham and Urdenata plateaus. Gravitational forces caused by along-axis topographic gradient and a ∼30° ridge reorientation appear to also be driving the rift propagations. The along-axis mantle flow appears to be reduced and deflected along the Luzon-Okinawa fracture zone, because the spreading system remained stable west of this major fault zone. North-east of the Benham plateau, a left-lateral fracture zone has turned into a NE–SW-trending spreading axis. As a result, a microplate developed at the triple junction.
ISSN: 0954-4879

insu-00304360
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00304360
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2008.00824.x