Transform continental margins – Part 2: A worldwide review

Type Article
Date 2016-12
Language English
Author(s) Mercier De Lepinay Marion1, 5, Loncke Lies1, Basile Christophe2, Roest WalterORCID3, Patriat MartinORCID3, Maillard Agnes4, de Clarens Philippe5
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Perpignan, Ctr Format & Rech Environm Mediterraneens, UMR 5110, Via Domitia,52 Ave Paul Alduy, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
2 : Univ Joseph Fourier, Univ Grenoble, Observ Sci, CNRS,UMR 5275,ISTerre,Observ Sci,Maison Geosci, 1381 Rue Piscine, F-38400 St Martin Dheres, France.
3 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, Inst Carnot, Ifremer EDROME,UR Geosci Marines, CS 10070, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
4 : Univ Toulouse 3, GET, OMP, 14 Av E Belin, F-31400 Toulouse, France.
5 : TOTAL SA, 2 Pl Jean Millier, F-92078 Paris, France.
Source Tectonophysics (0040-1951) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2016-12 , Vol. 693 , N. Part.A , P. 96-115
DOI 10.1016/j.tecto.2016.05.038
WOS© Times Cited 68
Keyword(s) Transform margin, Continental margin physiography, Marginal ridge, Marginal plateau
Abstract We present a global inventory of transform continental margins, based on both a worldwide comparison of continent-ocean boundary identifications with oceanic fracture zones traces, and a compilation of published regional studies. This inventory increases the number of identified transform margins from 29 to 78. These margins represent 16% of continental margins in cumulative length and 31% of non-convergent margins. We include morphological data, published upper crustal sections, continent to ocean transition locations and published Moho shape data in the new database. This review confirms that continent to ocean transitions are sharper at transform margins than at divergent margins. It also emphasizes the structural diversity of transform margins. Associated with one third of transform margins, we define marginal plateaus as a new type of relief that corresponds to a flat but deep surface inside the continental slope, and that may be inherited from crustal thinning prior to transform faulting. Transform margin initiation appears to be favoured along propagating oceans and within cold and thick lithospheres.
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