Collaborative Research: Seismogenesis of the Middle America Trench at the Nicoya Peninsula over multiple seismic cycles

智力价值拟议的工作将利用来自尼科亚半岛的陆上地质证据来解决与中美洲海沟沿着100公里长的部分俯冲有关的基本问题。这项工作包括以下组成部分：（1）古地震学：这部分项目将利用河口的地层学和古生态学研究史前地震的规模和复发。(2)古地理学：作为古地震调查的一部分，这项研究将调查尼科亚半岛的相对海平面变化，以评估地震间隔期间垂直地面运动的模式。 (3)地貌构造和长期隆升：这项研究将测试长期变形与地震发生的关系。 所有这些技术将结合起来，以确定史前断裂行为沿着俯冲带。学生.本科生将参加现场项目。 与哥斯达黎加的同事进行了大量的国际合作。 将为来自美国和哥斯达黎加的学生组织一个讲习班，并将在研究地点为学生举办一个实地学校。 这项研究对于了解哥斯达黎加的地震灾害具有重要意义。

Intellectual MeritThe proposed work would use onshore geologic evidence from the Nicoya Peninsula to address basic questions related to subduction along a 100-km-long part of the Middle America Trench. The work includes the following components: (1) Paleoseismology: This part of the project will investigate pre-historic earthquake size and recurrence using the stratigraphy and paleoecology of an estuary. (2) Paleogeodesy: As part of the paleoseismic investigation, the study would investigate relative sea level change on the Nicoya Peninsula to assess patterns of vertical ground motion during intervals between earthquakes. (3) Morphotectonics and long-term uplift: The study will test the relationship of long-term deformation to earthquake generation. All of these techniques will be combined to define the pre-historic rupture behavior along the subduction zone.Broader ImpactsThis project includes the training of a Ph.D. student. Undergraduate students will participate in the field program. There is a large component of international collaboration with colleagues in Costa Rica. A workshop for students from the US and Costa Rica will be organized, and a field school for the students will be held at the research site. The study is important for understanding seismic hazards in Costa Rica.