Lyell Collection

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (11) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bott, M. H.P. Articles by Bott, J. D.J. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

The Cenozoic uplift and earthquake belt of mainland Britain as a response to an underlying hot, low-density upper mantle

^{1 1}Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK (e-mail: m.h.p.bott@durham.ac.uk)
^{2 2}British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, UK
^{3 3}Present address: California Geological Survey, 185 Berry Street, Suite No. 210, San Francisco, CA 94107-1728, USA

A belt of hot, low-density uppermost mantle underlying mainland Britain down to at least 200 km depth, revealed by seismic tomography, may be the prime cause of the Cenozoic uplift and exhumation. We use finite-element modelling to demonstrate how isostatic uplift can occur in response to such a low-density hotspot beneath continental crust. To explain the narrow width of the uplift of northern Britain, the lower crust must be ductile (power-law rheology assumed) and the asymmetrical uplift may be bounded at least on the west side by a pre-existing fault or faults of appropriate polarity. Faulting has probably been reverse under NW–SE regional compression since the onset of the Cenozoic. With the assistance of continuing denudation, inferred gross Cenozoic exhumation of up to 3000 m can be explained. British earthquakes concentrate along a similar north–south belt, with the strongest events in the west. We suggest that the earthquakes result from the continuing tectonics associated with the hot upper mantle, the uplift it causes, and the weakened crust. The underlying low-density region gives rise to tensional loading stress in all directions and bending stresses are associated with the upper-crustal flexuring accompanying uplift. These large stresses supplement NW–SE regional compression. Available earthquake mechanisms are approximately consistent with this stress environment.

Keywords: Cenozoic, Great Britain, earthquakes, theoretical models, uplifts.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N.F. Lane, A.B. Watts, and A.R. Farrant An analysis of Cotswold topography: insights into the landscape response to denudational isostasy Journal of the Geological Society, 2008; 165: 85 - 103. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. P. Holford, P. F. Green, J. P. Turner, G. A. Williams, R. R. Hillis, D. R. Tappin, and I. R. Duddy Evidence for kilometre-scale Neogene exhumation driven by compressional deformation in the Irish Sea basin system Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2008; 306: 91 - 119. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Westaway Seismic imaging of a hot upwelling beneath the British Isles: Comment: COMMENT Geology, 2006; 34: e95 - e95. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Arrowsmith, M. Kendall, N. White, J. C. VanDecar, and D. C. Booth Seismic imaging of a hot upwelling beneath the British Isles Geology, 2005; 33: 345 - 348. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.B. Watts, W.S. McKerrow, and K. Richards Localized Quaternary uplift of south-central England Journal of the Geological Society, 2005; 162: 13 - 24. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

• Home  |  
• Current issue  |  
• Table of contents  |  
• Archive  |  
• Search  |  
• Feedback

• Copyright policy  |  
• Permissions request   |  
• Terms of use   |  
• Feedback   |  
• HighWire Press