Model for the origin of the Troodos massif, Cyprus, and other mideast ophiolites

Abstract

A new hypothesis for the origin of the Troodos and related ophiolites is proposed, which can best explain the geochemical evidence for subduction zone involvement, the thin inferred oceanic crust, the extensional environment as indicated by sheeted dykes, the existence of fault zones perpendicular to the inferred spreading axes and the discontinuous nature of ophiolite exposures around the Arabian block. The actualistic example of this 'supra-subduction zone' model is the Andaman Sea in the eastern Indian Ocean. This model leads to some predictions about the structural and geophysical relationships to be expected in the circum-Arabian ophiolite belt and also predicts that Andaman Sea spreading centre magmas may be similar in composition to those found in the Middle East ophiolites.-L.di H.