(D)rifting into the future: the relevance of rifts and divergent margins in the 21st century
(D)rifting into the future: the relevance of rifts and divergent margins in the 21st century
Editor(s): Frank Zwaan, Tiago Alves, Patricia Cadenas Martínez, Mohamed Gouiza, Jordan J. J. Phethean, and Susanne Buiter

Continental rifting is a fundamental aspect of the Earth's plate tectonic cycle, leading to the development of rift basins and eventually to continental break-up as well as the formation of divergent margins and new oceans. Studying rift basins and divergent margins is of great importance since they comprise the most complete record of global change on Earth, encompassing the geochemical (and geodynamic) variations that accompany the break-up of continents. In parallel, they contain both widely investigated and still unexplored and unassessed natural resources, which are all crucial for a successful energy transition, whilst also representing one of the main loci of geohazards on Earth. In order to keep improving our knowledge of rifting, continental break-up processes, and divergent margin formation, as well as to cover the current and future needs of global society, we need to continue expanding and developing our scientific approaches as well as to further explore new ideas and challenge established interpretations.

This special issue aims to approach the study of extensional tectonics and continental break-up from a novel and dynamic viewpoint by compiling state-of-the-art research from varied Earth science disciplines, with a specific interest in research relevant to the (future) needs of our global society. We invite general and case studies with a focus on (but not limited to) three main subtopics detailed below, and we especially welcome contributions that build bridges between these topics:

• rift and divergent margin development,

• geo-resources (past, present, and future), geo-storage, and sustainability; and

• natural and induced hazards.

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28 Sep 2023
Extensional fault geometry and evolution within rifted margin hyper-extended continental crust leading to mantle exhumation and allochthon formation
Júlia Gómez-Romeu and Nick Kusznir
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2171,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2171, 2023
Preprint under review for SE (discussion: open, 0 comments)
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25 Aug 2023
Evidence of extension at the southwest continental margin of India and opening of the Laccadive Basin: Constraints from geophysical data
Mathews George Gilbert, Parakkal Unnikrishnan, and Munukutla Radhakrishna
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1757,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1757, 2023
Preprint under review for SE (discussion: open, 1 comment)
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07 Aug 2023
The link between Somalian Plate rotation and the East African Rift System: an analogue modelling study
Frank Zwaan and Guido Schreurs
Solid Earth, 14, 823–845, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-823-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-823-2023, 2023
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30 Jun 2023
Linked and fully-coupled 3D earthquake dynamic rupture and tsunami modeling for the Húsavík-Flatey Fault Zone in North Iceland
Fabian Kutschera, Alice-Agnes Gabriel, Sara Aniko Wirp, Bo Li, Thomas Ulrich, Claudia Abril, and Benedikt Halldórsson
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1262,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1262, 2023
Preprint under review for SE (discussion: open, 1 comment)
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13 Jun 2023
Multiple phase rifting and subsequent inversion in the West Netherlands Basin: implications for geothermal reservoir characterization
Annelotte Weert, Kei Ogata, Francesco Vinci, Coen Leo, Giovanni Bertotti, Jerome Amory, and Stefano Tavani
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1126,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1126, 2023
Preprint under review for SE (discussion: final response, 6 comments)
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23 May 2023
Offshore seismicity clusters in the West iberian Margin illustrated by two decades of events
Gabriela Fernandez-Viejo, Carlos Lopez-Fernandez, and Patricia Cadenas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1013,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1013, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for SE (discussion: final response, 6 comments)
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05 Apr 2023
The influence of crustal strength on rift geometry and development – insights from 3D numerical modelling
Thomas B. Phillips, John B. Naliboff, Ken J. W. McCaffrey, Sophie Pan, Jeroen van Hunen, and Malte Froemchen
Solid Earth, 14, 369–388, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-369-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-369-2023, 2023
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28 Nov 2022
Oblique rifting triggered by slab tearing and back-arc extension: the case of the Alboran rift in the eastern Betics
Marine Larrey, Frederic Mouthereau, Damien Do Couto, Emmanuel Masini, Anthony Jourdon, Syvlain Calassou, and Veronique Miegebielle
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1166,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1166, 2022
Revised manuscript under review for SE (discussion: final response, 8 comments)
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14 Nov 2022
The Luangwa Rift Active Fault Database and fault reactivation along the southwestern branch of the East African Rift
Luke N. J. Wedmore, Tess Turner, Juliet Biggs, Jack N. Williams, Henry M. Sichingabula, Christine Kabumbu, and Kawawa Banda
Solid Earth, 13, 1731–1753, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1731-2022,https://doi.org/10.5194/se-13-1731-2022, 2022
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