The effects of small-scale convection in the shallow lithosphere of the North Atlantic
Author (s): Likerman J., S. Zlotnik, Chun-Feng Li
Journal: Geophysical Journal International
Date: 2021
Abstract:
Curie point depth can be used as a proxy for plate temperatures. Data from the North Atlantic (10◦ – 50◦N) is used here to determine if the observed oscillations and patterns in Curie depths could be a sub product of small-scale thermal instabilities arising at the bottom of the lithospheric plates. Our numerical models suggest that small-scale convection (SSC) cells could produce thermal perturbations at isotherms as low as the Curie point. These results are compatible with North Atlantic observations in terms of wavelengths (150 to 300 km), amplitudes (∼4 km) and orientations of the instabilities. Observed Curie-point depth oscillations before the onset (70 to 90 Myr) of SSC could also be linked to other different processes. We suggest that, in the case of the North Atlantic lithosphere, the spreading rate variation and the melt and upwelling could be intricately linked and cause a different pattern of SSC.
