Structural and petrophysical analysis of the lava/dike boundary at intermediate to superfast-spreading ocean crust: integration between present-day ocean crust and ophiolites

InterRidge

Student

and

Postdoctoral

Fellowship

Programme

2012





Title

of

the project





Structural and petrophysical analysis of the layer 2B/2C boundary at intermediate to superfast-spreading ocean crust: Integration between present-day ocean crust and ophiolites.





S

ummary




Faulting and fracturing of oceanic crust at the ridge crest, and away from the ridge, is thought to be a critical parameter controlling hydrothermal circulation. Geological investigations in DSDP/ODP/IODP drill holes and exposed ophiolites provide direct views of modern, as well as, ancient oceanic crust. This project proposes a comparative analysis among data achieved from Troodos ophiolites (Cyprus), DSDP/ODP Hole 504B, and ODP/IODP Hole 1256D. An integration of geophysical, petrographic, structural and microstructural data will provide a key for understanding the roles of faulting and fracturing during crustal accretion and evolution of the oceanic crust, with particular regards to the boundary between volcanics and sheeted dikes. This project intends to reveal dynamics of noteworthy relevance regarding the evolution of the deformation pattern at mid ocean ridges.