IRES: Research Opportunities in Continental Rift Initiation for U.S. Undergraduate Geoscience Students in Malawi

这项国际学生研究经验（IRES）：在马拉维为美国本科地球科学学生提供大陆裂谷启动的研究机会，将允许俄克拉荷马州立大学（OSU）的学生调查大陆岩石圈初始裂谷的地球动力学过程。由于缺乏来自新生裂谷环境的数据，在理解大陆裂谷早期阶段所涉及的机制方面存在知识缺口。我们对大陆裂谷在哪里和为什么开始以及在裂谷开始和应变局部化中预先存在的构造的相对作用的理解是不完整的。马拉维裂谷是世界上的一个吗？这是研究大陆裂谷形成和扩展过程中新构造裂谷构造与前寒武纪基底构造相互作用的最佳场所。这也是一个自然的例子，说明地壳中的主要结构如何试图在一系列复杂的继承结构中找到最有效的途径。在接下来的三年里，俄勒冈州立大学的12名本科生将与马拉维大学和地质调查部门的导师和同行合作，对裂谷形成过程中的地球动力学过程进行实地、多学科的研究。本研究旨在回答以下问题：在大陆伸展早期，先存构造在应变局部化中的作用是什么；在大陆伸展早期，应变如何在整个上地壳中被分割和容纳；以及断层倾角、滑动和位移/长度比如何被先存构造调节。马拉维的研究地点为IRES学生提供了进行原创研究的机会。学生项目将集中于裂谷边界断层、转移带和上地壳性质的详细调查，使用宽带大地电磁学、重力、磁、结构和遥感调查和分析。这个IRES的一个主要目标是吸引代表性不足的学生进入地球科学领域，并激励他们培养作为地球科学家在研究事业中取得成功所需的批判性思维技能。地球科学被认为是所有科学学科中种族差异最小的。作为一项国际研究经验，该项目可能对未来国际研究合作的发展产生重大影响。这些可以通过与非洲同行的互动、丰富的文化经验和获得个人接触而播下种子，这些接触可能有助于建立关系，从而可以启动未来的国际研究合作。这项研究的结果将接触到广泛的受众，因为学生参与者被要求在地区、国家和国际科学会议上展示他们的个人研究成果，并可能在同行评审的期刊上发表结果。其他更广泛的影响包括丰富非洲的地球物理和结构数据库，因为IRES学生将获得地球物理和结构数据，这些数据将有可能改变目前对大陆裂谷的地球动力学理解。最后，由于大陆裂谷和活跃的构造场所一样是多产的碳氢化合物生产者，学生项目的成果可以为马拉维的自然资源和减轻环境危害的可持续资源管理工作提供科学投入。

Technical description This International Research Experience for Students (IRES): Research Opportunities in Continental Rift Initiation for U.S. Undergraduate Geoscience Students in Malawi will allow students from Oklahoma State University (OSU) to investigate the geodynamic processes involved in the initial rifting of the continental lithosphere. There is a knowledge gap for understanding the mechanisms involved at the earliest stages of continental rifting that is ascribed to the paucity of data from nascent rift environments. Our understanding is incomplete as to where and why continental rifts initiate and to the relative role of pre-existing structures in rift initiation and strain localization. The Malawi rift is one of the world?s best places to study the interplay between neo-tectonic rift structures and Precambrian basement structures during the initiation and propagation of continental rift. It is also a natural example of how major structures in the crust try to find the most efficient pathway through a complex array of inherited structures. Over the next three years, 12 undergraduates from OSU will work with mentors and peers from the University of Malawi and the Geological Survey Department to conduct field-based, multi-disciplinary research on the geodynamic processes at play during rift initiation. This research expects to answer the questions: what is the role of pre-existing structures in the localization of strain during the early stages of continental extension, how is strain partitioned and accommodated throughout the upper crust during the early stages of continental extension, and how are fault dip, slip, and displacement/length ratios modulated by pre-existing structures. The research sites in Malawi afford IRES students the opportunity to do original research. Student projects will focus on detailed investigations of the rift border faults, transfer zones, and the nature of the upper crust using broadband magnetotellurics, gravity, magnetic, structural, and remote sensing surveys and analyses. Broader description A major goal of this IRES is to attract underrepresented students to the geosciences and inspire them to develop the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in research careers as geoscientists. The geosciences are considered the least ethnically diverse of all scientific disciplines. As an international research experience, this project could have significant impact on the development of future international research collaborations. These could be seeded as a result of interactions with African peers, from the enriching cultural experience, and the acquisition of personal contacts that could contribute to building relationships upon which future international research collaborations could be initiated. Results of this research will reach a broad audience as student participants are required to present their individual research findings at regional, national, and international scientific meetings, and potentially publish results in peer-reviewed journals. Other broader impacts include the enrichment of the geophysical and structural databases for Africa, since IRES students will acquire geophysical and structural data that will have the potential to transform current geodynamic understanding of continental rifting. Lastly, since continental rifts are prolific hydrocarbon producers as are active tectonic sites, the results of the student projects could provide scientific input into sustainable resource management for natural resources and environmental hazard mitigation efforts in Malawi.