Collaborative Research: Multi-disciplinary Experiments for Dynamic Understanding of Subduction under the Aegean Sea (MEDUSA)

这个项目涉及对希腊俯冲系统的研究，这是地中海地区几个年轻的俯冲系统之一，其特征是上部板块岩石圈的延伸和海沟从上覆板块的回滚。这种俯冲系统被认为主要是由负浮力板块的存在所驱动的。希腊俯冲系统在俯冲速率和俯冲岩石圈密度、空间和时间上都表现出较大的变化，大陆岩石圈沿整个带的缓慢俯冲被沿俯冲边界南部的海洋岩石圈的快速俯冲所取代。因此，它提供了一个很好的机会来量化板块密度与几何形状、俯冲速率、板块上部岩石圈变形以及板块与周围地幔之间的动态相互作用之间的关系。具体而言，pi将开展多学科研究，包括地质测绘、同位素测年、古地磁研究、被动地震研究以及俯冲过程的理论和模拟建模。通过更好地记录该俯冲系统的震级、速率、时间和几何形状，pi旨在对控制希腊系统俯冲的动态过程以及这些过程在地表的表现方式有一个基本的了解。

0409373RoydenThis project involves a study of the Hellenic subduction system, one of several young subduction systems within the Mediterranean region that are characterized by extension of upper plate lithosphere and roll-back of the trench away from the over-riding plate. Such subduction systems are thought to be driven primarily by the presence of a negatively buoyant slab. The Hellenic subduction system exhibits large variations in subduction rate and in the density of subducted lithosphere, in space and in time, as slow subduction of continental lithosphere along the entire belt was replaced by rapid subduction of oceanic lithosphere along the southern portion of the subduction boundary at ~8 Ma. Thus it provides an excellent opportunity to quantify the relationships among slab density and geometry, subduction rate, deformation of upper plate lithosphere, and the dynamic interactions between the slab and the surrounding mantle.Specifically, the PIs will carry out a multidisciplinary study consisting of geologic mapping, isotopic dating, paleomagnetic studies, passive seismic studies, and theoretical and analog modeling of subduction processes. Through better documentation of magnitudes, rates, timing and geometry of this subduction system, the PIs aim at a fundamental understanding of the dynamic processes that control subduction in the Hellenic system and the way in which these processes are expressed at the surface.