Abstract

A lineament analysis of the sea-floor relief in the north-western part of the Magellan Seamounts has been performed on the basis of the detailed bathymetric map of the area, which was created based on the results of multibeam echo sounding. According to the analysis, linear features of the relief were identified, the bearings of their strikes were measured and   rose-charts of the lineaments in the study area were produced.  Next, models of deep and subsurface deformation fields in the area were constructed emphasizing the blocks that were dominated by tensile or compressive stress. Interrelated movements of the blocks take place along the lines of sign changes of the stresses (along the block boundaries). The spatial and genetic relationships of the lineaments of the relief and the block boundaries were suggested by comparing the rose-diagrams of their directions. Both the linear system of landforms and the boundaries of deep and shallow blocks partially correspond to the four main systems of regmatic global network, which indicates a significant influence of the regmatic network on the structural plan of the area. Redistribution of stress values in the blocks appears to be associated with modern geological processes leading to formation of new features of the seafloor topography and partial destruction of guyots’ old surfaces.

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