The effects of small-scale convection in the shallow lithosphere of the North Atlantic

SUMMARY Curie point depth can be used as a proxy for plate temperatures. Data from the North Atlantic (10°–50°N) are here to determine if observed oscillations and patterns in depths could subproduct of small-scale thermal instabilities arising at bottom lithospheric plates. Our numerical models suggest that convection (SSC) cells produce perturbations isotherms low point. These results compatible with observations terms wavelengths (150–300 km), amplitudes (∼4 km) orientations instabilities. Observed Curie-point before onset (70 90 Myr) SSC also linked other different processes. We that, case lithosphere, spreading rate variation melt upwelling intricately cause pattern SSC.