The Fellow will study cycling of high-field-strength elements in the mantle by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. An important component to the theory of plate tectonics is the cycling of material from the mantle to the crust at ocean ridges, and back into the mantle at subduction zones. High-field strength elements (HFSE) will be used to study basalts erupted at volcanic arcs, where they tend to be low in HFSE, and basalts erupted on oceanic islands that tend to be enriched in HFSE. This study should evaluate the hypothesis that major basaltic volcanism on Earth is part of a cycle, formed at ocean ridges, subducted at ocean trenches, undergoes reactions that lead to arc volcanism, and eventually resurfaces as plumes feeding ocean islands. The Fellow will spend her fellowship tenure at Cornell University.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Application #
9203151
Program Officer
Michael A. Mayhew
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-06-01
Budget End
1994-11-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
$70,424
Indirect Cost
Name
Fellowships
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Arlington
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22230