Beneath the mountainous ocean ridges lies a ribbon-like vat of magma from which tectonic plates are made. The existence of this magma is known from the lavas erupted onto the seafloor and from seismic studies of this region. The eruptive behavior and rate of cooling of this magma is recorded in the numbers and sizes of crystals contained by the lavas. This research involves measuring the distribution of crystal sizes in rocks from the East Pacific Rise and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to discern the individual styles of magmatism at these ridges. Because the separation rate differs significantly between these ridges, a marked difference in the crystal size distributions is expected. This work will contribute to understanding the fundamental process by which Earth evolves as a planet.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Application #
9711575
Program Officer
David E. Epp
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1997-11-15
Budget End
2000-10-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
$122,621
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218