Study of detailed process of oceanic lithosphere formation at a back-arc spreading center

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We conducted a detailed seafloor survey using the submersible Shinkai 6500 with the R/V Yokosuka at the back-arc spreading center of the Mariana Trough in 17°N to study the formation process of oceanic crust and lithosphere. Our research found morphology of basaltic lava flows, faults and fissures, chemistry and magnetization of rock samples, deep-sea magnetic anomaly, and thickness of sedimentary layers. We revealed the detailed geological structure and spatial variation of seafloor age in the area near the spreading axis for the discussion of the formation process.