Similarities of rifting to seafloor spreading between the Red Sea and South Atlantic

Interpretation of Saudi Aramco proprietary gravity and magnetic data has shown many similarities of the Red Sea rifting framework compared to published work on the South Atlantic. These similarities include the extent of volcanics, salt tectonics, sediment grabens, hotspot deeps and seafloor spreading.

An analysis of the Red Sea gravity and magnetic data has revealed the following observations:

1. Rift structural elements:
   • A defined crustal oceanic boundary only along the spreading axis and deeps.
   • Salt flow affected by location of deeps.
2. Volcanism:
   • Magnetics defined location of volcanic activity.
   • Complex onshore volcanic dike orientation and density.
   • Deeps are volcanic hotspots.
3. The spreading axis:
   • A Red Sea propagator spreading model.
4. Seafloor spreading:
   • Gravity expression of volcanic fill.
   • Magnetic polarity reversal of seafloor spreading.
   • Magnetic indication of transform faults.

A discussion of these observations in relation to published data on the Red Sea and South Atlantic will show that a single model for the rift structural elements can potentially be used for these and other rifted systems.