The proposed research will examine the possibility that Bear Creek Foredeep evolved on thermally young continental lithosphere as a result of collapse of an immature passive continental margin. Research will involve an integrated approach, combining geological and geochronological field investigations of selected areas with geophysical modelling of related gravity anomalies the Thelon Tectonic Zone (infered suture) and two-dimensional modelling of the basin - Thelon Zone system. Models will be used to make first-order predictions concerning basin geometry and stratigraphic architecture of basins formed on cold vs. warm lithosphere. The models will then be compared to the observed characteristics of Bear Creek Foredeep as a method of evaluating the thermal condition of the lithosphere during basin development. Evaluating the thermal age of the lithosphere during subsidence of Bear Creek Foredeep constitutes a critical test of the hypothesis that passive continental margins may have been, on the average, more short-lived than in younger times (cf. Hoffman and Bowring, 1984).

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Application #
8806090
Program Officer
Jonathan H. Fink
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1988-02-15
Budget End
1991-01-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
$97,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02139