This two-year award supports U.S.-France cooperative research in marine geology between Donald F. McNeill of the University of Miami and Djafar Aissaoui of the University of Paris (South). The objective of their research is to calibrate and refine the timing of geodynamic events associated with an active, subducting plate boundary. The investigators will apply carbonate magnetostratigraphy to an uplifted atoll in the Loyalty Islands of the South Pacific. Dr. McNeill brings to this collaboration experience in rock magnetics and magnetostratigraphic dating of shallow-water carbonates. He has constructed a superconducting magnetics laboratory for data analysis. This is complemented by Dr. Aissaoui's knowledge about the Atoll's geology and stratigraphy. Carbonate magnetostratigraphy is a novel technique for timing and determining rates of motion at active plate boundaries and for extracting data on past sea level events. Results from this research will determine its feasibility for studies at active plate boundaries and could lead to its widespread use for research in geodynamics and plate tectonics.
