Perform a Gravity Correlation Study.

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 and Seasat radar altimeters 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 plate, and by probing several locations spanning varied temporal situations, we are 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, we attempt a systematic study of all the parameters influencing the observed mechanical properties of the lithosphere. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA097719

Entities

People

  • Micheline C. Roufosse

Organizations

  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altimeters
  • Bathymetry
  • Hot Spots
  • Indian Ocean
  • Lithosphere
  • Massachusetts
  • Mechanical Properties
  • New England
  • Oceans
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Radar Altimeters
  • Ridges
  • Rigidity
  • Seamounts
  • Technical Information Centers
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Seismology
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.