Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/B502836/1

Crustal and upper mantle modification by back-arc rifting and magmatism, North Island, New Zealand.

Principal Investigator:: Professor RS White, University of Cambridge, Earth Sciences
Grant held at:: University of Cambridge, Earth Sciences

ENRIs:: Global Change; Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:: Volcanic Processes; Tectonic Processes; Mantle & Core Processes

Abstract:: Where Earth's tectonic plates are colliding, massive volcanism and faulting results. Often the tectonic movements generate rifts in the continental plate, causing back-arc extension. These processes are responsible for a large percentage of continental growth over geologic time, for the formation of new oceans such as the Philippine Sea, a major cause of short-term global climate fluctuations and the cause of major volcanic and earthquake hazards in many highly populated regions of the world. The North Island of New Zealand offers a rare opportunity to study the onset of back-arc rifting in continental crust, because the rift currently extends mid-way across the continental crust of North Island. So we can compare the modification of the crust and upper mantle at the onset of rifting with that caused in the more mature rift to the north, and also can compare these structures with those resulting from the formation of the nearby major volcano of Mount Taranaki, which sits further back from the plate collision zone and away from the back-arc rift. This proposal will use high-quality seismic data from three large broadband seismometer deployments in New Zealand recorded by Prof White and his co-workers during 2001-2002.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £61,515

Total - T&S	Total - Staff	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£3,824	£38,825	£1,006	£17,860

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