title: Structural control of flank volcanism in continental rifts.
abstract: Many volcanoes emerge from the flank (footwall) of normal faults in continental rift zones. Because such locations are commonly topographically high and exhibit minor compressional structures, the association is enigmatic. A simple flexing plate model shows that deformation of a flexurally supported upper crust during normal faulting generates a dilational strain field in the footwall at the base of the crust. This strain field allows cracking and tapping of preexisting melt.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: King