Detailed study of the tectonic and vocanogenic history of the northrnmost Mariana backarc basin will be performed using existing data from two SeaMARC II side.scan and bathymetric cruises and five Geological ZSurvey of Japan geophysical surveys. Conventional bathymetry, SeaMARC II and seismic reflection data will be analyzed. These data will allow the PI to test models of evolution of the backarc basin spreading systems. Specifically, the PI will examine the tectonic structure of the rift graben; the nature and distribution of volanism in the early stages of rifting; and determine whether the observed structures and volcanic elements agree with those predicted by existing models.
