A Newly Discovered Hawaiian Volcano on Kaena Ridge

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

Recent mapping of the seafloor along with gravity and geochemical analyses of seafloor volcanic rocks off the Island of Oahu suggests that there may be a volcano along the submarine Kaena Ridge. If validated, the newly discovery edifice would provide fundamental new information about Hawaiian magmatic activity and its evolution in time. It will also help in the interpretation of geophysical data of the overlapping volcanic edifices that make up the Hawaiian Island chain. The project pursues this new discovery by returning to the area with a student/faculty-run oceanographic cruise that uses a remotely operated vehicle to collect more gravity data and spot-sample volcanic rocks from critical locations on the seafloor. Samples returned to the lab will be analyzed for major and trace elements and key radiogenic isotopes (Nd, Sr, Pb). Samples will be dated using K-Ar and Ar-Ar methods. Broader impacts of the work include international collaboration with French scientists and strong integration of research and education for students. In this project, students are engaged at all levels from project planning to participating in an oceanographic cruise, to carrying out the geochemical work, to making presentations at national meetings.