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Constraining timescales of focused magmatic accretion and extension in the Afar crust using lava geochronology

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  • David J. Ferguson

    (University of Oxford
    Present address: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, P.O. Box 1000, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-1000, USA)

  • Andrew T. Calvert

    (US Geological Survey)

  • David M. Pyle

    (University of Oxford)

  • Jon D. Blundy

    (University of Bristol)

  • Gezahegn Yirgu

    (University of Addis Ababa)

  • Tim J. Wright

    (School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds)

Abstract

As continental rift zones mature the tectonic and volcanic processes associated with crustal extension become confined to narrow magmatic rift zones, reminiscent of oceanic spreading ridges. The formation of these rift zones and the development of ocean-ridge type topography is a significant milestone in rift evolution as it signifies the localization of crustal extension and rift-related volcanism. Here we show that lavas, which erupted since ~200 ka along part of the on-land Red Sea rift system in Afar, Ethiopia, have a consistent age-progression from the rift axis outwards, indicating that axial dyke intrusion has been the primary mechanism of segment growth and that focused magmatic accretion and extension in the crust have remained stable here over this period. Our results suggest that as this rift segment has formed, in thinned and intruded continental crust, the time-averaged surface opening rate has closely approximated the total extension rate between Africa and Arabia.

Suggested Citation

  • David J. Ferguson & Andrew T. Calvert & David M. Pyle & Jon D. Blundy & Gezahegn Yirgu & Tim J. Wright, 2013. "Constraining timescales of focused magmatic accretion and extension in the Afar crust using lava geochronology," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2410
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2410
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