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Magmatism at rifted continental margins

Abstract

The intense volcanism and uplift observed on many rifted continental margins, forming basaltic seaward-dipping reflector sequences, is accompanied by the emplacement of a thick igneous section at depth. Partial melting by decompression of passively upwelling asthenosphere that is hotter than normal because it is near a hotspot explains both the thickness of the new igneous crust and the initial elevation of the rifted margins.

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White, R., Spence, G., Fowler, S. et al. Magmatism at rifted continental margins. Nature 330, 439–444 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330439a0

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