Magnetic and bathymetric investigations over the Vema Region of the Central Indian Ridge: tectonic implications

Magnetic and bathymetric data were collected along N50 degrees E profiles i n the Vema Region (7-12 degrees S, 64-70 degrees E) across five ridge segme nts of the Central Indian Ridge (CIR). Anomalies up to A5 (10 Ma), identifi ed by generating synthetics for each profile, show asymmetric spreading. Th ough inter-segmental variations in spreading rate have been observed, the m ean half-spreading rate increases from 1.8 cm/yr in the region north of Vem a Transform to 2.1 cm/yr south of the Vema Transform. The average spreading rate for the last 10 Ma has not always been symmetric. The interpretation of magnetic and bathymetric data shows the complex nature of this part of t he CLR which could probably be attributed to: (i) the short ridge segment; (ii) interaction with Fracture zone; and (iii) interaction between the CIR and the Wide Boundary Zone (WBZ) separating the Indian and Australian plate s. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.