EARTHQUAKE SWARMS ON THE MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - PRODUCTS OF MAGMATISM OR EXTENSIONAL TECTONICS

By analogy with the microearthquake swarms which accompany terrestrial volcanic eruptions, teleseismically observed earthquake swarms along mid-ocean ridges are commonly thought to be indicators of volcanism, particularly dike emplacement. We test this assumption by investigating the spatial and temporal patterns and other characteristics of earthquakes in 34 swarms on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Resolution of the relative locations of swarm events is improved by the use of a multiple-event relocation technique. -from Authors