International: Characterization of High Pressure/Ultrahigh Temperature Alpine-Type Garnet Peridotite in Northern Dominican Republic

Appalachian State University, Boone NC

Investigators

Abstract

0139490 This Americas Program proposal requests support for Dr. Richard N. Abbott, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, to conduct a research of an unusual metamorphic rock called Alpine-type spinel-garnet peridotite, recently discovered by the PI in the Cuevas River in the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic. Dr. Abbott will be collaborating with Engineers P.V. Chavez, and V. Silva, Direccion de Mineria (bureau of mines/geological survey),Santo Domingo, and Dr. Ivan Tavares, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo. The principal objectives of the research are to determine and map the relationship between this rock and others in the same unit; find the source of the boulders, and analyze the samples in the laboratory. Understanding these unusual rocks will help to refine the current model of the origin of the islands of the Greater Antilles in the broader context of the origin of the Caribbean basin. Identifying the geological sources of these peridotite boulders will provide fundamental first order on the tectonic processes that have occurred in this part of the Caribbean. Dominicans will participate in the project through the government's quadrangle mapping program and will benefit from the resulting geologic map that will be useful for the development and management of their natural resource.