Post-Miocene Cayman Trough evolution: A speculative model

Research Article| December 01, 1983 Post-Miocene Cayman Trough evolution: A speculative model Troy L. Holcombe; Troy L. Holcombe 1Marine Geology Branch, Seafloor Geosciences Division, Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, NSTL Station, Mississippi 39529 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George F. Sharman George F. Sharman 2Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Troy L. Holcombe 1Marine Geology Branch, Seafloor Geosciences Division, Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity, NSTL Station, Mississippi 39529 George F. Sharman 2Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1983) 11 (12): 714–717. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<714:PCTEAS>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Troy L. Holcombe, George F. Sharman; Post-Miocene Cayman Trough evolution: A speculative model. Geology 1983;; 11 (12): 714–717. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<714:PCTEAS>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Cayman Trough exhibits cross-trough lineations, which we interpret as crustal fabric formed parallel to the spreading center at the time of crustal generation. Alignment and variations of the spreading fabric are roughly symmetrically distributed about the mid-Cayman spreading center, as are variations in the cross-trough width of the Cayman Trough. These suggest to us a simple, eight-stage model of stepwise-varying spreading directions and rates. For this model it is assumed that (1) tectonic spreading fabric is perpendicular to spreading direction, (2) cross-trough extension both widens the trough and lengthens the spreading center, and (3) cross-trough compression narrows the trough but does not shorten the spreading center. Combining the spreading-fabric lineation data with these assumptions, we predict a cross-trough width variation that is essentially that of the Cayman. Similar variations in spreading direction should be evidenced elsewhere on the plate boundary if the variations we observe do, in fact, record the history of changes in relative motion between the North American and Caribbean plates. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.