National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA logo PMEL - A leader in developing ocean observing systems

 

FY 2006

Explorer deformation zone: Evidence of a large shear zone and reorganization of the Pacific–Juan de Fuca–North American triple junction

Dziak, R.P.

Geology, 34(3), doi: 10.1130/G22164.1, 213–216 (2006)


Recently collected multibeam bathymetry and hydroacoustic earthquake data are used to investigate the recent tectonics of the Explorer–Juan de Fuca Ridge systems, the boundaries between the Pacific and northern Juan de Fuca plates. The bathymetric and seismic evidence presented is consistent with a zone of shear extending well south of the Sovanco Fracture Zone to include the Heck and Heckle seamounts, and potentially as far south as the Springfield Seamounts and Cobb offset along the Juan de Fuca Ridge. This indicates that the triple junction between the Pacific–Juan de Fuca–North American plates may be reorganizing southward to establish at the Cobb offset.



Contact Sandra Bigley |
Acronyms | Outstanding PMEL Publications
About Us | Research | Publications | Data | Infrastructure | Theme Pages | Education
US Department of Commerce | NOAA | OAR | PMEL
Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
NOAA /R/PMEL
7600 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
  Phone: (206) 526-6239
Fax: (206) 526-6815
Contacts
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility Statement
oar.pmel.webmaster@noaa.gov
Watch PMEL's YouTube Channel