This project is a field and laboratory study of the relationship between the sediment physical properties and subduction processes in the Nankai trough in the western Pacific. The study is providing important new data on the processes that control the formation of geological structures in the sediments of active continent margins. The primary technique for the field program is advanced multichannel seismic reflection data acquisition including expanding spread profiles that require two ship operations. The R/V MOORE of the University of Texas will be used together with the R/V TANSEA MASU of Japan. The data will be jointly analyzed and define variations in physical properties with time and increasing deformation of the sediments. The project will also provide the detailed control needed to site a future ODP drilling deep hole for calibration of the seismic data and direct measurements of the geology and fluid content of the sediments. Dr. G. Moore (Univ. Tulsa) and Dr. T. Shipley (Univ. Texas) are collaborating on this study with the Japanese. Together with Dr. D. Karig (Cornell) and their co-investigators, they form a very strong research team with experience in all components of the work. This includes field operations, seismic data analysis, continental margin geology and tectonics, and physical property measurements.
