A dynamic lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary near the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge

In plate tectonic theory a weak asthenosphere is required to facilitate the motions of the rigid plates. Partial melt could weaken the mantle, in turn impacting convection, but to date the existence of persistent melt has remained controversial. A wide range of scenarios has been reported in terms of the location, amount and pathways of melt. Here we use data collected by 39 ocean bottom seismometers deployed near the equatorial Mid-Atlantic Ridge on 0 to 80 Myr old seafloor. We calculate S-to-P (Sp) receiver functions and perform waveform modeling. We jointly interpret with shear-wave velocity tomography from surface waves and magnetotelluric (MT) imaging to take advantage of a range of resolutions and sensitivities and illuminate the structure of the oceanic lithosphere and the underlying asthenosphere. We image a tectonic plate thickness that increases with age in one location but undulates in another location. We infer thin and slightly thicker melt channels and punctuated regions of ascending partial melt several hundred kilometers off the ridge axis. This suggests melt persists over geologic timescales, although its character is dynamic, with implications for the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) and the driving forces of the plates. Ascending melt intermittently feeds melt channels at the base of the plate. The associated melt-enhanced buoyancy increases the influence of ridge-push in driving plate motions, whereas the channelized melt reduces the resistance of the plates to motion. Therefore, melt dynamics may play a larger role in controlling plate tectonics than previously thought.