Article
Energy & Fuels
Harish C. Srivastava, Saurabh Mittal, Tony Kalra, Rajinder Parshad
Summary: Conventionally, volcanic margins have been considered devoid of hydrocarbon, but recent discoveries and research have proved its presence. However, seismic imaging poses constraints on hydrocarbon exploration within volcanic margins. This study focuses on the seaward dipping reflectors (SDRs) in the Indian context and their impact on hydrocarbon prospectivity, mapping the continent-oceanic boundary (COB) and indicating deeper-level hydrocarbon potential along the Indian peninsular region.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Gareth L. Hurman, Derek Keir, Jonathan M. Bull, Lisa C. McNeill, Adam D. Booth, Ian D. Bastow
Summary: Magmatic intrusion and faulting accommodate crustal extension in magma-rich rifts and the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is in a transitional stage between continental rifting and seafloor spreading. Quantitative analysis using remote sensing data reveals an increase in fault density, length, and connectivity away from magmatic segments. Kinematic and earthquake focal mechanism data show a transition from transtensional opening to oblique opening attributed to the step between sub-regions of the rift.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yu Fu, Rihui Cheng, Youfeng Gao, Yang Zhou, Zhongjie Xu
Summary: This study focuses on the SSI and SSII sequence groups in the lower part of the Shahezi Formation. The lithofacies and lithofacies associations indicate the development of volcanism in the early syn-rift stage. The seismic profile shows turnover superimposition during the formation of the Shahezi Formation, suggesting strike-slipping during deposition.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2024)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ashutosh Singh, G. Srinivasa Rao
Summary: The study revealed a hyperextended continental crust in the Mannar basin, with two stages of rifting occurring between 130-115 Ma and -100-65 Ma, resulting in minor crustal stretching. The southern part of the basin experienced higher crustal stretching, potentially leading to increased accommodation space and sediment influx. Late Cretaceous intrusive volcanism in the area influenced geothermal gradient and hydrocarbon generation.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Peng Su, Honglin He, Yiduo Liu, Feng Shi, Darryl E. Granger, Eric Kirby, Lan Luo, Fei Han, Renqi Lu
Summary: The formation of magma-poor continental rifts is still not well understood. This study explores the Linfen Basin in North China to investigate the weakening mechanisms and extension rates involved in the formation of such rifts. The results suggest that pre-existing structures and slow extension rates contribute to the weak nature of the lithosphere in the Shanxi Rift System.
Article
Limnology
Wenlong Wang, Dongdong Dong, Xiujuan Wang, Guangxu Zhang
Summary: The tectonic evolution of the continental margins in the SWB can be divided into three stages: rifting, spreading, and post-spreading, with significant crustal uplift and reduced subsidence rate during the spreading stage. Lower crustal flow played a crucial role in this process, leading to unique tectonic features compared to classic rifted basins.
JOURNAL OF OCEANOLOGY AND LIMNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Gilberto Saccorotti, Rebecca Bruni, Marco Bonini, Giacomo Corti, Derek Keir, Federico Sani
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of seismic activity in the Mugello Basin in Northeastern Tuscany, Italy over the past 15 years. It identifies several key seismic sequences, indicating an increase in seismic activity in the region, which is likely related to the activation of adjacent segments of fault systems.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Birhanu A. Kibret, Atalay Ayele, Derek Keir
Summary: In this study, we used the receiver function technique to investigate the crustal structure beneath the Central Main Ethiopian Rift and the Eastern plateau. The results show that the Vs velocity in the rift valley is heterogeneous and varies with depth and location, while it is more homogeneous and faster beneath the Eastern Plateau. We also found that partial melt in the lower crust might be more widespread than previously thought and plays an important role in the magma plumbing system.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Craig Magee, Matthew T. Reeve, Christopher A. -L. Jackson, Rebecca E. Bell, Ian D. Bastow
Article
Geology
Alessandro Bragagni, Eleonora Braschi, Andrea Orlando, Luisa Guarnieri, Giacomo Corti, Simone Tommasini
Summary: The East African Rift System (EARS) is an active continental rift with extensive volcanic activity. This study investigates the contribution of different mantle domains to the generation of EARS magmas through space and time, using geochemical analysis of erupted magmas and mantle xenoliths. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the common process driving magma genesis in the EARS.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Wubamlak Nigussie, Kevin Mickus, Derek Keir, Abera Alemu, Yoseph Muhabaw, Ameha A. Muluneh, Esubalew Yehualaw, Zelalem Demissie
Summary: In magma-rich continental rifts, extension is commonly localized as dike injection in discrete magmatic segments which appear from surface geology to mimic the along-axis segmentation of ocean ridges. The subsurface morphology of these zones of localized magma injection remains unclear, including their depth range and relationship with tectonic faulting. Using gravity data, the study of the Main Ethiopian Rift reveals discrete Bouguer gravity highs in the centers of right-stepping magmatic segments, suggesting the presence of mafic intrusions. The study also suggests strong along-axis variations in deformation mechanism, with magma injection accommodating extension at the segment centers and faulting dominating towards the segment ends. Rift margin volcanic zones are inferred near the rift flanks.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Martina Raggiunti, Derek Keir, Carolina Pagli, Aude Lavayssiere
Summary: The study found that earthquakes within the Main Ethiopian Rift are likely generated by fluid flow along faults, while earthquakes at the rift margin are caused by tectonic motion of the plates.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Stephen Pugh, Alistair Boyce, Ian D. Bastow, C. J. Ebinger, Sanne Cottaar
Summary: The constraints on chemical heterogeneities in the upper mantle can be derived from studying the observable impedance contrasts caused by them. The intermittently observed X-discontinuity (X) at 230-350 km depth in non-subduction zones can be explained by various mechanisms, such as phase transitions and carbonated silicate melting. Africa is an ideal location to study the origins of X, and its spatial distribution has been mapped, revealing patches of heterogeneity near mantle upwellings in different regions.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alessandro La Rosa, Martina Raggiunti, Carolina Pagli, Derek Keir, Hua Wang, Atalay Ayele
Summary: A series of earthquakes occurred in the northern Afar region, which were found to be caused by tectonic faulting without involvement of magma movements. Measurement models show that the extension from faulting corresponds to approximately 30 years of plate spreading. The observations indicate significant variation in the proportion of extension from faulting along the rift.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Birhan A. Kebede, Carolina Pagli, Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Derek Keir, Alessandro La Rosa, Snorri Guobrandsson
Summary: Using remote sensing and geophysical data, researchers found that Tulu Moye is an active volcanic complex with a geothermal field, resulting in surface uplift. They identified an underground intrusion as the cause of the uplift, which is attributed to magma influx.
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Gareth L. Hurman, Derek Keir, Jonathan M. Bull, Lisa C. McNeill, Adam D. Booth, Ian D. Bastow
Summary: Magmatic intrusion and faulting accommodate crustal extension in magma-rich rifts and the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is in a transitional stage between continental rifting and seafloor spreading. Quantitative analysis using remote sensing data reveals an increase in fault density, length, and connectivity away from magmatic segments. Kinematic and earthquake focal mechanism data show a transition from transtensional opening to oblique opening attributed to the step between sub-regions of the rift.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Birhanu Abera Kibret, Atalay Ayele, Derek Keir
Summary: By applying P-to-S receiver functions (RFs), we aimed to determine major melt reservoirs in the crust during magma-rich continental rifts. The results of this study suggest the presence of localized partial melt regions in the mid-crust beneath the NW plateau and the lower crust beneath the west of Afar, which play important roles in rift-related magmatic processes. The melt region in the NW plateau crust is potentially linked to the broad extension of the plateau or lateral migration of melt from the rift.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Melanie Siegburg, Thomas M. Gernon, Derek Keir, Jonathan M. Bull, Rex N. Taylor, Emma J. Watts, Tim Greenfield, Ermias F. Gebru
Summary: Magmatic continental rifts often experience discrete rifting episodes, but it is unclear whether these episodes are clustered in time across adjacent rift segments. This study conducted new radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of the most recent rifting episode in the Boset magmatic segment of the northern Ethiopian rift, and combined it with historical dating of similar events in neighboring segments. The results suggest that each magmatic segment experienced separate rifting episodes, but these episodes were clustered in time.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tyrone O. Rooney, Eric L. Brown, Ian D. Bastow, J. Ramon Arrowsmith, Christopher J. Campisano
Summary: As continents break apart, the dominant mechanism of extension transitions from faulting and lithospheric stretching to magma intrusion and oceanic crust formation in a new ocean basin. Commonly found in magmatic rifted margins worldwide are large lava flows that erupted near sea level during the latter stages of continent-ocean transition (COT). The mechanisms behind the formation of these lava flows and their significance in COT development are not well understood and difficult to study directly.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
C. S. Ogden, I. D. Bastow, C. Ebinger, A. Ayele, R. Kounoudis, M. Musila, R. Bendick, N. Mariita, G. Kianji, T. O. Rooney, G. Sullivan, B. Kibret
Summary: Receiver function analysis reveals that the crust beneath the Turkana Depression is thin and lacks lower crustal intrusion and melt. This suggests that modern faulting and plate stretching dominate the tectonic activity in the region, rather than magma intrusion. These observations provide important insights into the tectonic evolution and crustal deformation mechanism of the East African Rift.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)