Strike-slip faults are common geologic structures that separate geologic blocks. The North American-Caribbean strike-slip boundary provides a unique example of a large offset (-1100 km), active transform fault that exhibits characteristics of both oceanic and continental transforms. The plate tectonic controls on the structure of this interplate boundary in Central America and the western Cayman Trough remain poorly understood. Moreover, the relations between strike-slip faults of the interplate boundary and a broad zone of active interplate deformation - the Western Caribbean Extensional Province - have not been explored with modern marine geophysical techniques. The interpretation of this complex area has great implications for interpreting the structure of other active oceanic and continental strike-slip zones as well as ancient strike-slip faults now preserved in mountain belts. %%% This project involves a marine survey of structure in the Cayman Trough along the North American - Caribbean strike-slip boundary using the SeaMARC II high-resolution side-scan sonar. This survey is designed to help resolve several long-standing questions in strike-slip tectonics including how strike-slip faults and associated structures can be interpreted in terms of the direction of interplate motion and the stress state of the interplate area, and how the structure of strike-slip faults is affected by continental vs. oceanic crustal type.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8812350
Program Officer
Bilal U. Haq
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1989-02-01
Budget End
1990-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
$250,048
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Hawaii
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Honolulu
State
HI
Country
United States
Zip Code
96822