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37        geophysi-   composition   different   observa-   evo-   and   by   depths   the   and   bound-   boundaries   The   the   of   sepa-   therefore   seismic   rifts   They   continental   has   continental   oceanic   first   was   char-   are   are   volcanic   (“post-   upper   of   zone   Moho.   beneath   topography   extend   accre-

        Observations   to   detail   the   on   three-dimensional   of  application   constraints,   structure   textbook   this   A.  Appendix   the  constraining   (Moho)   fundamental   subsurface   processes.   inter-relationship   interfaces   flat   can  method   gross   as   well   continental   at   2.18).   (Fig.   at   crust   mantle  upper   at  shallow   within   2.24a),   are   that  features   setting   one   in   grabens   rift   and   younger   brittle   a  reveal   d




        Geophysical   and   form   constraints   the   on   as   the   potential   crustal   the   with   in   in   boundary   third   a   two   associated   and   the   boundaries.   relatively   Moho.  The   as  region   thin   is   crust   ranges   oceanic   the   that   is   layering   (Fig.  sequence   structural   developed   continental   sedimentary   beneath  grabens   (Fig.  2.14b).   often   crust.   lower   and   depth   also   is  Moho   has   is  pattern   deformed




        by        overall   well   as   present   the   on   conjunction   outlined   useful   with   the   sea),   illustrates   resolving   the   a   in   the   mountain   thinner   suggest   asthenosphere   characteristic   and   features   example,   from   rift   margins   profiles   the   and   ridges   This   beneath
        offered   OBSERVATIONS   its   of   potential   setting,   chapters   including   Research   in   done   Assignment”   particularly   crust/mantle   Together   at   structure   8)   fundamental   in   like   changes   mantle.   that   at   thick   to   surveys   hot   The   “ophiolite”   some   For   reflections   suggest   continental   reflection   layered,  ductile   interpret   crust   mid-ocean   pattern.   and

        Constraints   much   owes   offers   given   a   in   remaining   tectonics,   below.   be   can   are   the   boundary.   bathymetry   tectonic   Chapter   in   three   useful   is   velocity,   thickness   uppermost   reveal   often   and  2.14),   continental   Refraction   where   2.13).   (Fig.   an   to   6)   and   stratigraphic   settings;   another.   at   of  zones   reflections   passive   zones,  seismic   a  overlying   to   used   continental   at   reflection




        Tectonic   CONSTRAINTS   GEOPHYSICAL   framework   technique   materials   to   outlined   feature   Writing   observations   boundaries:   and   land   of’plate   (discussed   the   of   4)  (Chapter   method   seismic   in   crustal   and   observations   (Fig.   thicker   from   2.16b).   velocities   ridges   correspond   studies.   5  (Chapters   image  profiles   tectonic   subsurface   Similar   on   rift   be   can   the   of   margins.   developed   characteristic


        Plate        Each   of   state   region.  The   techniques   interpretations   tectonic   “Sequenced   fundamental   on   understanding   isostasy   depths   refraction   increases   of   crust   the   ridges   transition   2.14c,   seismic   mid-ocean   to   refraction   certain   the   wedge-shaped   2.14a).   strata   nonreflective,   reflections   signature   continental   crust   a   passive
             TECTONIC   BY   tectonic   plate   observations.   physical   the   of   geophysical   tions,  and   a   of   the  following   Geophysical   two  lithosphere/asthenosphere   (topography   of   and  elevations   Refraction   seismic   abrupt   pattern   the   for  velocities   Refraction   mid-ocean   the   (Figs.   low  relatively   and   thought   by   Reflection   reflection   of  acteristic   in  identified   by  revealed   (Fig.   sedimentary   Atcontinental   is   t





             PLATE   OFFERED   The   cal   and   structure   lution   to   ary   facilitate   concept   Seismic   The   rating   map   and   show   margins   rifts   crust,   revealed   Seismic   Seismic   strata   rift”)   crust   This   some   that   to   tionary















                                                                                                    head   mas-   North   stem   silica   result-
                                                                                                    broad   in   the   As   This   in


                                         .  ee                                            to   1995)   cloud.”  The   ago,  resulting   2.26a).   remained.   enriched   upward.  The   ee

                                        \  1  _—~-                                        Plateau   movement of  the   (Fig.   magma
                                  i  :  \  i   {   Plateau  to  Yellowstone             Plateau/Snake  River  Plain/Yellowstone   the  Columbia   the  westward  within  the  deeper  mantle.   “mushroom   million  years   Plateau   “stem”   thin   the   of   migrated  magma   O  between
                                              Columbia                                   from  (from  A.  Grunder,  personal  communication   hotspot   of  a   18   Columbia   the   portion  larger   the   as   stream




                                      Kdaho                                                        shape   and  Washington   hotspot,

                                      Oregon                                             Numbers  show  age  of  volcanism   the   in   forming   the   the   with a   crust   steady   (Fig.  2.26b).

        Tectonics                           Volcanic  Rocks  from                      Interpretation  of Columbia   Park  Observed  ages  of  volcanism  are  consistent  with  lithospheric  plate  over  a   mantle   Oregon   basalt   over   volcanism,   continental   a  narrow,   westward


        Plate                         ene,   aS                                            National   deep   struck   in   of   moved   of   in

                                      ee    £3                                         2.26   North  American   the   Plate   far  less   melting   erupted   moved
        2                       ~~,  Se eos,                                           FIGURE   volcanism.  a)   Yellowstone   from   cloud   outpourings   in   the
        Chapter                                                                             b)     upward   the   sive   American   resulted   to   due   lavas   ing   plate   the



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