9725556 Chave The goal of this project is to characterize electromagnetically Archaean cratonic roots, specifically the root of the southern and central portion of the Slave craton in Canada. The results of this study will be combined with ongoing broadband magnetotelluric, reflection seismic, passive seismic and related geological studies of the Canadian Lithoprobe Transect SNORCLE to help improve understanding of the nature and origin of deep cratonic roots. Proven oceanic magnetotelluric technology installed in strategically located lakes on the Archaean Slave province will be used to conduct very deep magnetotelluric probing of cratonic root structure. Information on the depth extent of the root electrically, any lateral variation in its structure, and its deep electrical anisotropy will be obtained. These results combined with those from SNORCLE will help address questions on the structure and composition of the deep crust and mantle beneath the oldest craton and are relevant to the understanding of how Archaean cratons have been modified over the past 4 Ga. In addition, various hypotheses on the formation of continental lithosphere in general can be tested with the data to be collected. ***

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Application #
9725556
Program Officer
Leonard E. Johnson
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1998-05-01
Budget End
2001-10-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
$234,643
Indirect Cost
Name
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Woods Hole
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02543