Title: An explanation for the orthogonality of ocean ridges and transform faults
Abstract: Journal of Geophysical Research (1896-1977)Volume 80, Issue 17 p. 2575-2585 An explanation for the orthogonality of ocean ridges and transform faults Douglas W. Oldenburg, Douglas W. OldenburgSearch for more papers by this authorJames N. Brune, James N. BruneSearch for more papers by this author Douglas W. Oldenburg, Douglas W. OldenburgSearch for more papers by this authorJames N. Brune, James N. BruneSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 June 1975 https://doi.org/10.1029/JB080i017p02575Citations: 89AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract The 'wax model' of Oldenburg and Brune (1972) has been closely examined to provide insight into the mechanism of the orthogonal ridge transform fault pattern characteristic of oceanic ridges. A variety of paraffin waxes have been used, and their ability to develop and maintain the orthogonal configuration is shown to be characterized by the dimensionless parameter G, the ratio of the shear strength of the solid to the resistive stresses along the transform fault, the orthogonal pattern being maintained only when G > 1. If this criterion is satisfied, the development of the orthogonal pattern is determined by the symmetry of the stress field and the ability of the wax to fracture in a brittle manner under these applied stresses. The minimum energy criterion proposed by Lachenbruch and Thompson (1972) is critically studied, and its basic hypothesis is found to be contradicted in the wax model. Measurements of the thickness of the solid wax layer as a function of distance from the spreading center indicate a x1/2 dependence, as predicted by the theoretical model of Parker and Oldenburg (1973). To apply the results from the wax model to lithospheric plates, it is not necessary to scale individual material properties but only to determine if the criteria that are necessary and sufficient to produce the pattern in the wax also hold in the earth; it is found that these conditions are qualitatively fulfilled. References Batchelor, G. K., An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, London, 1967. Detrick, R. S., J. D. Mudie, B. P. Luyendyk, K. Macdonald, Near bottom observations of an active transform fault (mid-Atlantic ridge at 37°N), Nature Phys. Sci., 246, 59–61, 1973. Eirich, F. R., Rheology Theory and Applications, 1, Academic, New York, 1956. Froidevaux, C., Energy dissipation and geometric structure at spreading plate boundaries, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 20, 419–424, 1974. Griffith, A. A., The phenomena of rupture and flow in solids, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London, Ser. A, 221, 163–198, 1920. Isacks, B., J. Oliver, L. R. Sykes, Seismology and the new global tectonics, J. Geophys. Res., 73, 5855–5899, 1968. Lachenbruch, A. H., A simple mechanical model for oceanic spreading centers, J. Geophys. Res., 78, 3395–3417, 1973. Lachenbruch, A. H., G. A. Thompson, Oceanic ridges and transform faults: Their intersection angles and resistance to plate motion, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 15, 116–122, 1972. Menard, H. W., T. Atwater, Changes in direction of sea floor spreading, Nature, 219, 463–467, 1968. Oldenburg, D. W., J. N. Brune, Ridge transform fault spreading pattern in freezing wax, Science, 178, 301–304, 1972. Parker, R. L., D. W. Oldenburg, Thermal model of ocean ridges, Nature Phys. Sci., 242, 137–139, 1973. Sokolnikoff, I. S., Mathematical Theory of Elasticity, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1956. Stesky, R. M., W. F. Brace, Estimation of frictional stress on the San Andreas fault from laboratory measurements, Proceedings of the Conference on Tectonic Problems of the San Andreas Fault System, Stanford Univ. Publ. Geol. Sci., 13, 206–213, Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Calif., 1973. Citing Literature Volume80, Issue17Solid Earth and Planets10 June 1975Pages 2575-2585 ReferencesRelatedInformation
Publication Year: 1975
Publication Date: 1975-06-10
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 121
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