Expedition Menu
1. Introduction
2. The Question
3. Funding
4. Study Area
5. Background
6. Seismogenic Zone
7. Chief Scientists
8. The Journey
9. Ship Tour
10. Leaving Port
11. Seismic Method
12. Seismic Source
13. Seismic Recording
14. 3-D Acquisition
15. Life at Sea
16. In the Lab
17. Time to Depart
18. Data Processing
19. The 3-D Volume
20. Interpretation
21. Your Turn
22. Comparison
23, Publication
24. IODP Drilling
This material is based
upon work supported
by the
National Science Foundation
under
Grant No. 0633234
NanTroSEIZE in 3-D
Imaging an Active Plate Boundary Fault
1. Introduction
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Welcome to our voyage to study a seismically active fault, deep beneath the seafloor, with a history of generating large earthquakes and tsunamis. This feature defines the boundary between two converging tectonic plates, the Phillppine Sea plate on the east, which is being overidden by the Eurasian plate along the Nankai Trough, southeast of Japan.
Learning Objectives: Students will gain an appreciation of how marine geophysicists use 3-D seismic imaging to better understand the geometry and physical properties of earthquake faults under the sea. We will also learn how international collaboration between scientists from Japan and the U.S. is providing an opportunity for a long-term scientific program to address a geologic hazard of global significance.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this expedition, students will understand how international collaboration is required to carry out large-scale oceanographic projects that span the globe. Students will understand how sound waves are used to create three-dimensional images of the earth's crustal structure, which can be used to identify deeply buried earthquake faults that can then be further studied using deep ocean drilling to better understand the mechanics of earthquake faulting and rupture through real-time monitoring, which may lead to early warning systems for both earthquakes and tsunamis.
In this expedition, you will join the ship in Japan and participate as a scientist in acquiring the data, experiencing life at sea, and joining in the interpretation of the data in preparation subsequent drilling by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. as shown in the diagram at the bottom of this web page.
©Copyright 2009
July 23, 2009
Send Comments to Don Reed
Department of Geology
San Jose State University
What is the scientific question being addressed by this study?