A long-standing missing link in our understanding of the Wilson cycle is how a continental rift transitions to seafloor spreading. The variety of rift structures and transition timings at rift margins do not easily lend themselves to some specific degree of strain and/or magmatism as the tipping point. Invariably ignored in the process, but a potential key to the conundrum, is the isostatic response that comes with ocean loading during and after inundation. Ocean mass redistribution on variably subsiding crust drives flow in the asthenosphere in much the same way a growing icecap drives a corresponding outward mantle flow. This flow alters mantle tractions of the rift system, with disappearance of basal resistance, and even adds a push to the rifting process. Evidence for ocean inundation facilitating self-sustained seafloor spreading is observed in the Atlantic, around the Afar triple junction, and elsewhere, indicating that the ocean should not be considered simply incidental to the creation of oceanic basins.

中文翻译：

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海洋平衡作为裂谷到漂移过渡的触发因素

在我们对威尔逊循环的理解中，一个长期缺失的环节是大陆裂谷如何转变为海底扩张。裂谷边缘的裂谷结构和过渡时间的多样性并不容易使它们以某种特定程度的应变和/或岩浆作用作为临界点。在这个过程中总是被忽视，但一个潜在的难题的关键是在淹没期间和之后随着海洋载荷的均衡响应。不同下沉的地壳上的海洋质量重新分布驱动软流圈中的流动，就像不断增长的冰盖驱动相应的向外地幔流动一样。这种流动改变了裂谷系统的地幔牵引力，基础阻力消失，甚至增加了裂谷过程的推动力。