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

技术说明这一国际研究经验的学生（IRES）：研究机会在大陆裂谷启动美国本科生地球科学学生在马拉维将允许学生从俄克拉荷马州州立大学（OSU），以调查在大陆岩石圈的初始裂谷所涉及的地球动力学过程。存在知识差距， 了解大陆裂谷最早阶段的机制， 这归因于缺乏来自新生裂谷环境的数据。我们的理解是不完整的，在哪里和为什么大陆裂谷开始和相对的作用，先存在的结构在裂谷的启动和应变本地化。马拉维裂谷是世界裂谷之一？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。这也是地壳中主要结构如何试图通过复杂的遗传结构阵列找到最有效路径的自然例子。 在接下来的三年里，来自俄勒冈州立大学的12名本科生将与来自马拉维大学和地质调查部的导师和同行合作，对裂谷形成过程中的地球动力学过程进行实地多学科研究。这项研究预计将回答以下问题：大陆伸展早期阶段，既存构造在应变局部化中的作用是什么，大陆伸展早期阶段，应变如何在整个上地壳中分配和调节，以及断层如何倾斜、滑动和位移/长度比受到既存构造的调制。马拉维的研究地点为IRES学生提供了进行原创研究的机会。学生项目将侧重于使用宽带大地电磁学，重力，磁力，结构和遥感调查和分析的裂谷边界断层，转移区和上地壳的性质的详细调查。这个IRES的一个主要目标是吸引代表性不足的学生到地球科学，并激励他们发展所需的批判性思维技能，在研究事业中取得成功，作为地球科学家。地球科学被认为是所有科学学科中种族多样性最少的。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。这些可能是与非洲同行互动的结果，从丰富的文化经验中，以及个人接触的获得，这可能有助于建立未来国际研究合作的关系。这项研究的结果将达到广泛的受众，因为学生参与者被要求在区域，国家和国际科学会议上展示他们的个人研究成果，并可能在同行评议的期刊上发表结果。其他更广泛的影响包括丰富了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作用的地球动力学理解。最后，由于大陆裂谷是活跃的构造部位，是多产的碳氢化合物生产者，学生项目的结果可以提供科学投入到可持续的资源管理，自然资源和环境危害减轻马拉维的努力。

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.