Cretaceous Volcanic Sequences and Jurassic(?) Crust in the Western Pacific: A Seismic Reflection Study

该项目是对太平洋海底最古老部分的地质历史、构造和结构的实地和实验室研究。在太平洋中西部的实地项目使用多通道地震技术来确定深地壳层的深度和性质。原始基岩与白垩纪火山地层上覆层序的关系正在得到解决。在之前的研究中，白垩纪火山地层掩盖了深层地层，然而，本项目将使用强大的调谐源阵列和96通道地震拖缆穿透基底。现代数据处理技术将揭示瑙鲁、中太平洋和马里亚纳盆地的地层和构造关系。将确定深水白垩纪火山复合体的性质和范围以及与周围岛屿、环礁和类似年龄的古丘的关系。这项研究正在为90年代初潜在的ODP钻井提供区域数据，并正在与法国科学家的第二个现场方案进行协调。这两个项目将满足钻井计划评估特定钻井位置的所有要求。T. Shipley博士（德克萨斯大学）和R. Larson博士（罗德岛大学）正在合作进行这项研究。他们共同组成了一个非常强大的研究团队，在工作的各个方面都具有专业知识。这包括实地作业、地震数据分析和区域地质解释。

This project is a field and laboratory study of the geologic history, tectonics and structure of the oldest part of the Pacific seafloor. The field program in the west central Pacific Ocean is using multichannel seismic techniques to determine the depth and nature of the deep crustal layers. The relationship of the original bedrock to an overlying sequence of Cretaceous volcanic strata is being resolved. The Cretaceous volcanic strata have masked the deep layers in previous studies, however, this project will use a powerful tuned source array and a 96-channel seismic streamer to penetrate to the basement. Modern data processing techniques will reveal the stratigraphic and structural relationships in the Nauru, Central-Pacific and Mariana Basins. The nature and extent of the deep-water Cretaceous volcanic complexes and the relationship to the surrounding island, atolls and guyots of similar age will be determined. The study is providing regional data for a potential ODP drilling leg in the early 1990's and is being coordinated with a second field program by French scientists. The two projects will meet all requirements for the drilling program to evaluate specific drilling locations. Dr. T. Shipley (Univ. Texas) and Dr. R. Larson (Univ. Rhode Island) are collaborating on this study. Together they form a very strong research team with expertise in all aspects of the work. This includes field operations, seismic data analysis and regional geologic interpretations.