Ocean rift zone saw spreading happen in a sudden burst
Summary
In 2024, French scientists remotely monitored a major event on the ocean floor between the Australian and Antarctic tectonic plates. They found that most seafloor spreading happened quickly, sometimes without any earthquake signals.Key Facts
- The study took place at the mid-ocean ridge between the Australian and Antarctic plates.
- Scientists installed underwater monitoring equipment only two months before the event.
- Seafloor spreading typically happens at about 60 millimeters (6 cm) per year in this area.
- In April 2024, spreading happened in a short burst over several kilometers along the ridge.
- The event involved the formation of “dykes,” which are cracks filled with molten rock.
- Some changes were recorded without any clear earthquakes.
- Seafloor sensors recorded the valley floor dropping rapidly, sinking about 5 cm per minute at the peak.
- The total sinking of the seafloor during the event reached 4.2 meters.
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