9503499 Taylor As shown by recent ODP drilling, the early evolution of the Lau Basin involved rifting of a former volcanic arc. It is not known why some fast spreading segments are opening obliquely and my represent a different accretionary process at backarc compared to mid-ocean ridge spreading A major land-sea seismicity experiment in 1994-95 provided a tomographic image of seismic velocity and attenuation structure beneath the basin and surrounding areas. This study will test whether Lau spreading center and Peggy Ridge transform fault are linked by an extensional transform zone. It will also constrain dynamic models and provide a regional survey for OBS transect study of mantle melting process.
