VARUNA
Type | Oceanographic cruise |
---|---|
Ship | Beautemps-Beaupré |
Ship owner | Marine Nationale/SHOM |
Dates | 12/03/2019 - 25/03/2019 |
Chief scientist(s) | RODRIGUEZ Mathieu |
ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE PARIS 24 rue Lhomond 75005 PARIS +33 (0)1 44 32 30 00 |
|
DOI | 10.17600/18001108 |
Objective | Previous oceanographic cruises conducted during the last decade in the Arabian Sea allowed the collection of geophysical data in the area of the Aden-Owen-Carlsberg triple junction, where India, Somalia, and Arabia meet. However, a key component of the system remains poorly investigated : the Owen Transform, connecting the Sheba and Carlsberg Ridge. The objectives of this cruise are to characterize the Owen transform fault system and the related structures, as well as their subsurface structure (i.e. down to the basement). The dataset will help to understand how the Owen Transform system reacted to the kinematic changes affecting the involved plates since the Early Miocene. A particular emphasis will be put on the characterization of the structural evolution of the transform system and its potential migrations. To reach these objectives, we propose to acquire continuous multibeam bathymetric data, measure gravimetric and magnetic fields, and run sub-bottom and seismic profiles across the Owen Transform and the related structures (Error Ridge, Varuna Ridge). The stratigraphic resolution of Indus turbidites compares closely with the resolution of magnetic anomalies, which allows a very precise comparison between the structural evolution of the Owen Transform and kinematic changes. Eventually, the entire transform systems acting as the India-Somalia and India-Arabia plate boundaries will be mapped, from the Carlsberg Ridge to the Makran accretionary wedge.
|