Tectonic Erosion Along the Southern Chile Margin

收敛边缘有两种类型。增生边缘反映了在洋壳逆冲过程中，沉积物质向覆盖的地壳板块中添加。侵蚀边缘反映了地壳物质的构造剥离及其通过下冲洋壳向深部的搬运。了解这两种边缘的原因对于确定全球沉积层质量平衡、地壳和地幔之间的元素循环至关重要，并可能揭示沿汇聚边缘产生地震的特征和过程。目前的奖项将支持对智利边缘的研究，这是一个由活跃扩张中心的逆冲而产生的强烈侵蚀区域。具体来说，将处理边缘未受干扰剖面的多通道地震反射数据，并与来自高度侵蚀剖面的详细分析数据进行比较。这些数据集的比较将提供一幅关于边缘结构和侵蚀的时间变化的独特图景。

Convergent margins have been shown to be of two types. Accretionary margins reflect the addition of sedimentary material to an overriding crustal plate during underthrusting of oceanic crust. Erosional margins reflect tectonic stripping of crustal material and its transport to depth by the underthrusting ocean crust. Understanding the reasons for these two types of margins is critical in determining global sedimentary mass balances, element cycling between the crust and mantle, and may shed light on the features and processes which create earthquakes along convergent margins. The present award will support examination of the Chile margin, a region of intense erosion produced by the underthrusting of an active spreading center. Specifically, multi-channel seismic reflection data will be processed from an undisturbed section of the margin and compared to detailed analysis of data from a highly eroded section. Comparison of these data sets will provide a unique picture of temporal changes in margin structure and erosion.