THICKNESS DIFFERENCE OF THE LITHOSPHERE AT THE FRACTURE ZONE AND HORIZONTAL DRIVING FORCE OF THE PLATEv

Abstract

Gravity anomalies and crustal structures are summarized in the vicinity of Mendocino Fracture Zone, and the thickness of the lithosphere is calculated from this information. The lithosphere south of the fracture zone is a few tens of kilometers thicker than that north of it, therefore the fracture zone is the place of the offset of lithospheric structure. This suggests the existence of horizontal pressure difference and the possibility of new subduction motion at the fracture zone.