Understanding the deep structure of continental margins is critical in determining the processes by which new ocean basins are formed during continental rifting, in evaluating the response of the continental crust to thermal events which accompany rifting, and in comparing volcanic and sedimentary events which precede and post date rifting events. The East Coast of the U.S. has had a complex geologic history which includes at least two stages of rifting and a major period of continental suturing. Much of this history is preserved in the deep, sedimentary strata along the continental margin. The objective of the present project is to use seismic reflection profiling and refraction data to acoustically image these deep sedimentary layers. These data can then be interpreted to understand the geologic history of the East Coast as well as the processes which accompany stretching and uplift of continental crust during rifting of continental masses. Data will be acquired through lease of a commercially available seismic ship and deployment of ocean bottom seismometers off the southeast coast of the US.
