Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Evidence for transform margin evolution from the Ivory Coast–Ghana continental margin

Abstract

The relative motions between lithospheric plates can be reduced to three major types: convergence, divergence and transform motion. Convergence leads to an active margin (and eventual collision); divergence results in the construction of a rifted (passive) margin; transform motion generates a transform (or sheared) margin. Although passive margins have been extensively studied1,2, and many models have been proposed for their origin and subsequent evolution3–5, little is known about transform margins, with the exception of a few studies of their morphologies6,7, shallow structures or crustal sections8,9. Here we present the main conclusions derived from a recent study of the northern Gulf of Guinea margins, particularly off the eastern Ivory Coast and Ghana, where the continental margin is one of the best-preserved examples of an extinct transform margin10–12. Our observations support a four-stage model for transform margin evolution. Technically active transform contacts, first between normal continental crusts and then between thinned margins, induce characteristic structures such as pull-apart grabens and shear folds. The next stage, in which thermal exchange between oceanic and continental lithos-pheres controls a complex subsidence, is followed by the transition to a true intra-oceanic fracture zone.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Burk, C. A. & Drake, Cl. L. The Geology of Continental Margins (Springer, Berlin, 1974).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Watkins, J. D. & Drake, C. L. (eds) Mem. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 34 (1982).

  3. McKenzie, D. P. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 40, 25–32 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Le Pichon, X. & Sibuet, J. C. J. geophys. Res. 86, 3708–3720 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wernicke, B. Can. J. earth. Sci. 22, 108–125 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Mascle, J. Anais Acad. bras. Cienc. 48, 191–197 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lonsdale, P. Bull. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. 69, 1160–1180 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Scrutton, R. A. Tectonophysics 59, 293–305 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Scrutton, R. A. (ed.) Dynamics of Passive Margins 133–140 (Am. Geophys. Un., Washington, DC, 1982).

  10. Mascle, J., Mougenot, D., Blarez, E., Marinho, M. & Virlogeux, P. J. Geol. (in the press).

  11. Blarez, E. thesis Univ. Paris VI (1986).

  12. Mougenot, D., Virlogeux, P., Vanney, J. R. & Malod, D. Bull. Soc. géol. Fr. 8, 419–422 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Blarez, E. & Mascle, J. Les Marges Transformantes Ivoiro-Ghanéenne et Sud Guinéenne. Campagnes Océanographiques Françoises No. 3 (IFREMER, Brest, 1986).

  14. Blarez, E. et al. Bull. Soc. géol Fr. 8, 419–422 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Simon, P. & Brou, A. Bull. Soc. géol. Fr. 26, 1117–1125 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Rabinowitz, P. D. & Labrecque, J. J. geophys. Res. 84, 5973–6002 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Le Pichon, X. & Hayes, D. E. J. geophys. Res. 76, 6283–6293 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Sibuet, J. C. & Mascle, J. J. geophys. Res. 83, 3401–3421 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Crowell, J. C. Spec. Publ. Soc. econ. Paleont. Miner. 19, 293–303 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ben Avraham, Z. J. geophys. Rev. 90, 90–131, 703–726 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ben Avraham, Z., Almagor, G. & Garfunkel, Z. Sedim. Geol. 23, 239–267 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mascle, J., Blarez, E. Evidence for transform margin evolution from the Ivory Coast–Ghana continental margin . Nature 326, 378–381 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/326378a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/326378a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing