Structure and Evolution of the Eastern Part of the Southwest Indian Ridge

Abstract

The structure and evolution of the eastern part of the Southwest Indian Ridge are discussed. Based on geological-geophysical data and cartographic materials, analysis of spatial and temporal changes of ridge morphostructure was performed. Analysis of the data made it possible to recognize the stages of the ridge evolution and delineate its sections differing in tectonics, structure, and morphostructural segmentation of the rift zone and the ridge flanks. It is shown that crust in the axial zone of the ridge formed under repeatedly changing spreading kinematics, degree of hotspot activity, and along-axis changes of underlying mantle temperatures. The temporal variations in these characteristics along the rift zone are established, with consideration of their influence on its segmentation and tectonic structural features.