Study of Oceanic Lithosphere Using Geos-3 Radar Altimeter Data.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the mechanical properties and time evolution of the lithosphere. For that purpose, geoid heights derived from the Geos 3 radar altimeter were used. The study of the correlation existing between bathymetry and free-air anomalies or geoid heights gives information on the mechanical properties of the lithosphere and its thickness. The lithospheric thickness is related to the age of the lithospheric thickness is related to the age of the lithospheric plate, and by probing several locations spanning varied temporal situations, one is able to retrace the time evolution of the lithospheric plates. Toward that aim, several seamount chains, islands, and ridges have been investigated in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. In the regions studied so far, the age of the lithosphere at the time of loading is the primary parameter. In this work, the author attempts a systematic study of all the parameters influencing the observed mechanical properties of the lithosphere.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA077344

Entities

People

  • Micheline C. Roufosse

Organizations

  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altimeters
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Bathymetry
  • Convection
  • Data Sets
  • Geophysics
  • Hot Spots
  • Indian Ocean
  • Massachusetts
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Oceans
  • Radar Altimeters
  • Ridges
  • Short Wavelengths
  • South Atlantic Ocean
  • Topography

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Oceanography.
  • Structural Dynamics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.