Dike intrusions during rifting episodes obey scaling relationships similar to earthquakes
Passarelli, L.; Rivalta, E.; Shuler, A. (2014). Dike intrusions during rifting episodes obey scaling relationships similar to earthquakes. NPG Scientific Reports 4(3886): 7 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep03886
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
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Geophysics Tectonics Volcanology |
| Authors | | Top |
- Passarelli, L.
- Rivalta, E.
- Shuler, A.
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| Abstract |
As continental rifts evolve towards mid-ocean ridges, strain is accommodated by repeated episodes of faulting and magmatism. Discrete rifting episodes have been observed along two subaerial divergent plate boundaries, the Krafla segment of the Northern Volcanic Rift Zone in Iceland and the Manda-Hararo segment of the Red Sea Rift in Ethiopia. In both cases, the initial and largest dike intrusion was followed by a series of smaller intrusions. By performing a statistical analysis of these rifting episodes, we demonstrate that dike intrusions obey scaling relationships similar to earthquakes. We find that the dimensions of dike intrusions obey a power law analogous to the Gutenberg-Richter relation, and the long-term release of geodetic moment is governed by a relationship consistent with the Omori law. Due to the effects of magma supply, the timing of secondary dike intrusions differs from that of the aftershocks. This work provides evidence of self-similarity in the rifting process. |
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