The geology and structure of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near Ascension Island

该博士项目于2006年2月1日开始。总体目标是将深拖曳TOBI侧扫数据与大西洋中脊7-11°S区域的测深、微地震和浊度数据相结合，生成该区域扩展轴的地质构造图。该地图及其所基于的三维数据集将用于(a)阐明扩张轴的结构，包括确定在扩张运动中构造和岩浆过程之间相互作用的状态(b)为指导该地区进一步的采样、热液勘探和构造调查提供预测工具。地质构造研究的结果将被输入SPP内其他研究人员正在开发的熔化、熔体提取和地幔运动的有限元模型中，以便直接测试模型预测。我们设想，作为该项目的成果，有关该地区的地质和地球动力学的信息将具有足够的分辨率，以便对具有超区域甚至全球相关性的地球动力学和热液过程作出定量陈述。

The doctoral project for which this is the continuation proposal began on 1 Feb. 2006. The over-arching aims are to integrate the deep-towed TOBI side-scan data with bathymetric, microseismological and nephelometric data from the area between 7-11°S on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to produce a geological-tectonic map of the spreading axis in this region. The map and the 3-dimensional datasets upon which it is based will then be used to (a) elucidate the structure of the spreading axis, including determining the state of interplay between tectonic and magmatic processes in taking up the spreading movement (b) provide a predictive tool to guide further sampling, hydrothermal prospecting and structural investigations in the area. Output from the geological-tectonic studies will be fed into finite element models of melting, melt extraction and mantle movement being developed by other investigators within the SPP to allow the model predictions to be tested directly. We envisage as the outcome of this project information on the geology and geodynamics of the area which is of sufficient resolution to allow quantitative statements to be made about geodynamic and hydrothermal processes which will have super-regional or even global relevance.