Collaborative Research: U.S. - ROC Deep Seismic Imaging Study of the Taiwan Arc-Continent Collision

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9417414 Moore Studies of arc-continent collisions provide valuable insights into orogenic processes and continental accretion. The Taiwan orogenic belt provides a modern example of this process, which has served as an important model for studying ancient orogens now exposed on land. Uplift rates measured along the collision suture in southeastern Taiwan are among the fastest in the world, yet little is known about the crustal structure beneath this region or the mechanisms responsible for uplift at the critical transition from subduction to collision located in the offshore to the south of Taiwan. The present project will provide detailed new information with which to examine Taiwan crustal structure and the collision process. Data to be acquired include multi-channel seismic reflection and seismic refraction data from the offshore region, as well as simultaneous crustal refraction measurements on land. A major advantage to undertaking such a study in Taiwan is that progressively younger stages of the propagating collision can be viewed by moving southward along the collision zone. Thus, the detailed aspects of the collision process can be examined from an evolutionary perspective. Results from the project will be critical in planning drilling by the Ocean Drilling Program. This is a cooperative project supported by scientists at four U.S. institutions and the Institute of Oceanography of the National Taiwan University. ***