Oceanic Crustal Structure of the NE Hawaiian Arch

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal seeks to conduct a geophysical survey of the Hawaiian arch to characterize crust and mantle-mantle boundary (Moho) structure for one of three (and, by most accounts, the leading) candidate sites for the international Moho drilling project. This project is a collaboration with JAMSTEC, the Japanese cience funding agency. Almost all funding for this project is coming from JAMSTEC. The PI?s are seeking ship time and funding for an expedition to recover ocean bottom seismometers deployed at the beginning of the project. Of special interest is whether or not there is evidence for magmas related to the nearby Hawaiian Islands hot spot having been injected into the region of interest. If so, this will be an unsuitable site for drilling. Of more general scientific interest will be the reference section established for mature fast-spread ocean crust and characterization of crustal warping related to loading by the Hawaiian Volcanos. The seismic data will be immediately provided the data to the Academic Seismic Portal and, hence, to any investigator who wishes to further interpret or process the data. Graduate students are involved in both shipboard work and data analysis. This is a US contribution (at very moidest cost) to a large, highly visible international project.