To study a region of anomalous seismicity along the Cascadia subduction zone, offshore central Oregon, researchers will passively monitor earthquake activity during two, year-long deployments of short-period and broadband ocean bottom seismometers. At least part of the deployment will be concurrent with adjacent onshore deployments that are part of the USArray experiment. The target area has experienced two moderate earthquakes and a swarm of small earthquakes during the past 2 years, and available data suggest that a basement ridge being subducted in this area is hitting the crystalline backstop, possibly causing the deformation detected in the oceanic plate by geodetic experiments. This project will further constrain such deformation. The research also in part represents a test for hypotheses related to the relative strength of forearc and subducting ridge, with different seismicity patterns expected if either of these features is the strong component in the subduction complex. Broader impacts include training of numerous undergraduate and graduate students, establishing baseline data for a possible eventual observatory in this region, and integration with the USArray and Earthscope experiments.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Application #
0550402
Program Officer
Rodey Batiza
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$308,906
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Corvallis
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97331