Acquisition of Electromagnetic and Resistivity/IP Imaging Systems for Neotectonics, Hydrogeology, and Biogeophysics Research

该合同将支持俄克拉荷马州立大学购买受控源音频大地电磁法(CSAMT)和电阻率/激电极化系统。拟议的仪器将用于解决新构造学、水文地质学和生物地球物理学的研究问题。在新构造学方面，拟议的仪器将形成博茨瓦纳和赞比亚学生国际研究体验项目的中心核心，重点是研究新构造与裂谷引起的地表过程之间的相互作用。地下断层几何形状和断层连接模式的地球物理成像将(1)回答有关裂谷盆地边界的断层在裂谷开始期间如何形成、生长和传播的关键问题；(2)为新构造活动和裂谷作用引起的地表过程之间的相互作用提供重要的见解。项目旨在发展和提高学生的国际研究能力，同时有助于科学理解裂谷引起的新构造活动如何影响地表过程。此外，拟议的CSAMT系统将用于调查土耳其西阿纳托莱延伸地体(WAET)的Menderes地块的正断层几何形状。门德雷斯地块是确定促进大陆岩石圈伸展的基本板块构造过程的关键地点。拟议的仪器将用于提供断层的近地表成像，这对确定该地区新生代伸展期间形成的正常断层的几何形状和演化至关重要。所获得的数据将用于更好地了解土耳其WAET新生代伸展的原因和运动学。在侧重于了解和记录微生物过程对地球物理性质的影响的生物地球物理研究中，拟议的电阻率/激电成像系统将使目前的实验室调查能够扩大到实地范围内对地下微生物过程的地球物理调查。将受益于拟议仪器的其他项目包括：(1)研究俄克拉荷马州中南部的Aruckle-Simpson含水层，该含水层是该地区近40,000人的主要水资源；(2)确定俄克拉荷马州南部瓦奇塔斯前缘褶皱冲断带和阿科马盆地过渡带逆冲断层的近地表几何形状。拟议的仪器将为学生提供实地地球物理研究经验，同时解决地球科学中的基本研究问题。参与国际项目的学生将在博茨瓦纳、赞比亚和土耳其进行实地考察。通过与博茨瓦纳、赞比亚和土耳其大学的同行进行互动，美国学生将获得丰富的文化体验，建立个人联系，并建立关系，这些关系将成为未来国际研究合作的核心。我们的国际实地项目将提供一个极好的机会，让来自代表性不足群体的学生参与进来。

This award will support the purchase of a controlled source audio-frequency magneto-telluric (CSAMT) and electrical resistivity/induced polarization systems at Oklahoma State University. The proposed instrumentation will be used to address research questions in neotectonics, hydrogeology, and biogeophysics. In neotectonics, the proposed instrument will form the central core of an International Research Experience for Students' program in Botswana and Zambia focused on investigating the interplay between neotectonics and surficial processes due to rifting. Geophysical imaging of subsurface fault geometry and fault linkage patterns will (1) answer critical questions of how faults bounding a rift basin form, grow, and propagate during rift initiation; and (2) provide important insights into the interplay between neotectonic activity and surficial processes due to rifting. Projects are designed to develop and enhance the international research capabilities of students, while contributing to the scientific understanding of how neotectonic activity due to rifting influences surficial processes. In addition, the proposed CSAMT system will be used to investigate the geometry of normal faults in the Menderes Massif of the Western Anatolai Extended Terrane (WAET), in Turkey. The Menderes Massif is a key locale in identifying fundamental plate tectonic processes that facilitate extension in the continental lithosphere. The proposed instrumentation will be used to provide near surface imaging of faults, crucial to determining the geometry and evolution of the normal faults that formed during the Cenozoic extension in the region. The data obtained will be used to better understand cause and kinematics of the Cenozoic Extension in the WAET in Turkey. In biogeophysics research, which focuses on understanding and documenting the effect of microbial processes on geophysical properties, the proposed resistivity/IP imaging system will enable the up-scaling of current laboratory investigations to field-scale geophysical investigation of subsurface microbial processes. Other projects that will benefit from the proposed instrumentation include: (1) studies of the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer of south-central Oklahoma which is the principal water resource for nearly 40,000 people in the region and (2) determining the near-surface geometry of thrust faults in the Frontal Ouachitas Fold-Thrust Belt and Arkoma Basin Transition zone, in southern Oklahoma. The proposed instrumentation will provide hands-on field geophysical research experience for students, while addressing basic research questions in the geosciences. Students engaged in the international projects will conduct field work in Botswana, Zambia, and Turkey. By interacting with peers from universities in Botswana, Zambia, and Turkey, the U.S. students will acquire an enriching cultural experience, make personal contacts, and build relationships that will form the central core of future international research collaborations. Our international field programs will provide an excellent opportunity to engage students from underrepresented groups.