Figure 3: Depth-averaged 3D model slice and transects.
From: The initiation of segmented buoyancy-driven melting during continental breakup
(a) The 40–132 km averaged depth slice shows that the GOA and Afar form a continuous low velocity (<4.00 km s−1) region. Higher velocities (>4.00 km s−1) separate low velocities between the NMER (3.90–4.00 km s−1) and a focused low velocity (3.80–3.95 km s−1) along the CMER. Transects are labelled I-I’, II-II’ and III-III’. X’s mark intervals of 150 km on the transects. The Tendaho-Goba’ad Discontinuity (TGD), shown as a black dotted line, marks the boundary between the NMER and Afar. Red dotted lines are the rift axes of the submarine Red Sea rift and the GOA. The broken black lines show the border faults for the MER and Afar. The magmatic segments for Afar, CMER and NMER are shown shaded in red. (b) The I-I’ transect shows a focused low velocity (3.80–4.00 km s−1) beneath the CMER. (c) The II-II’ transect shows low velocities beneath Afar (3.80–4.00 km s−1) and beneath the GOA (3.80–4.00 km s−1). (d) The III-III’ transect shows an ∼200 km long low velocity (3.80–4.00 km s−1) beneath the CMER and an ∼300 km long low velocity (3.90–4.00 km s−1) beneath the NMER and Afar. The spacing between the low velocities is 150 km. Crustal velocities <3.8 km s−1 are saturated at 3.8 km s−1.
