The Juan Fernandez microplate occupies the Pacific, Nazca, Antarctic triple junction, an open--ocean, divergent structure un complicated by hotspots, a seismic ridges or adjacent continents. This setting, coupled with a high magnetic inclination, make this microplate ideal for studying the tectonic evolution of microplates and their relationship with triple junctions. This study will obtain complete ensonification of microplate using the GLORIA side-scan system and will collect Seabeam, magnetics, and gravity data. One of the principal investigators (Schouten) has proposed that microplate motion can be modeled as a circular and rigid body rotating about a "plate specific" pole located on the microplate. This model was developed and tested for the Easter and Galapagos microplates; thus , the work proposed here becomes a test of the "ball-bearing" model, and a test of relative motion solutions previously proposed.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Application #
8917630
Program Officer
Bilal U. Haq
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1991-04-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
$413,154
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rhode Island
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Kingston
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02881