The Gulf of Aden – A Natural Laboratory for Non Volcanic vs. Volcanic Margins Studies

D014 THE GULF OF ADEN: A NATURAL LABORATORY FOR NON VOLCANIC VS. VOLCANIC MARGINS STUDIES Summary 1 Data recently obtained in the Gulf of Aden show complex relationships between the conjugate continental margins and the subsequent oceanic spreading. To the west in the Afar hot spot region volcanism has preceded strain localization by more than 25 Ma and the accreting plate boundary is only recently propagating into the African continent. The eastern Gulf of Aden shows an opposite timing with stretching and break-up of the continental lithosphere without significant magmatism (non-volcanic margins). Introduction P. HUCHON S. LEROY and Tadjouraden/Encens-Sheba cruises