- Rivera Triple Junction
The Rivera Triple Junction (RTJ) is a geologic
triple junction located on the seafloor of thePacific Ocean southeast of the southern tip of theBaja California Peninsula . At the RTJ, threetectonic plates intersect: theNorth American Plate , theRivera Plate , and thePacific Plate . The triple junction is often referenced as the southern counterpart of theMendocino Triple Junction , but it is not as well understood. One research effort describes it as an R-R-R (ridge-ridge-ridge) type junction which lies along the segment of theEast Pacific Rise which run between theRivera Transform Fault and the Tamayo Transform Fault, although the third axis of the junction is not clearly defined. [ [http://www.springerlink.com/content/n70248363t383320/ SpringerLink - Journal Article ] ] Part of the problem in describing the Rivera Triple Junction is that if it were truly analogous to the Mendocino Triple Junction, then it would exist at the junction of the East Pacific Rise, theTamayo Transform Fault , and theMiddle America Trench . But thus far, there does not appear to be any evidence that the Tamayo Transform Fault or the East Pacific Rise intersect the Middle America Trench at all, thus presenting a possible example of a diffuse triple junction. Research is ongoing.References
* http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/06boa/finalprogram/abstract_101499.htm
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