Cretaceous Volcanic Sequences and Jurassic(?) Crust in the Western Pacific: A Seismic Reflection Study

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This project is a field and laboratory study of the geologic history, tectonics and structure of the oldest part of the Pacific seafloor. The field program in the west central Pacific Ocean is using multichannel seismic techniques to determine the depth and nature of the deep crustal layers. The relationship of the original bedrock to an overlying sequence of Cretaceous volcanic strata is being resolved. The Cretaceous volcanic strata have masked the deep layers in previous studies, however, this project will use a powerful tuned source array and a 96-channel seismic streamer to penetrate to the basement. Modern data processing techniques will reveal the stratigraphic and structural relationships in the Nauru, Central-Pacific and Mariana Basins. The nature and extent of the deep-water Cretaceous volcanic complexes and the relationship to the surrounding island, atolls and guyots of similar age will be determined. The study is providing regional data for a potential ODP drilling leg in the early 1990's and is being coordinated with a second field program by French scientists. The two projects will meet all requirements for the drilling program to evaluate specific drilling locations. Dr. T. Shipley (Univ. Texas) and Dr. R. Larson (Univ. Rhode Island) are collaborating on this study. Together they form a very strong research team with expertise in all aspects of the work. This includes field operations, seismic data analysis and regional geologic interpretations.