Nankai Trough and Zenisu Ridge: a deep-sea submersible survey

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

56

Scientific paper

Eight submersible dives between 3000 and 4200 m water depth were made off southern Japan in the eastern Nankai subduction zone. Benthic communities associated with chemosynthetic processes were discovered along the 800 m wide active tectonic zone, at the toe of the accretionary prism. A benthic community was also discovered along a zone of active compression, at the foot of Zenisu Ridge, 30 km south of Nankai Trough. Temperature measurements within the sediments below the benthic communities confirm that upward motion of interstitial water occurs there. Studies of water samples indicate advection of methane and light hydrocarbons. Specimens of the benthic community have been shown to have included in their shells carbonate resulting from methane consumption. Thus the benthic communities are related to overpressure-driven fluid advection along tectonic zones with active surface deformation. A 300 m high active scarp at the toe of the accretionary prism is related to relative motion in a 280° direction which is close to the 305° average direction of subduction in this area. The dives establish further that compressive deformation is presently occurring at the foot of Zenisu Ridge. The previous interpretation of the Zenisu Ridge as a zone of recent north-south intraplate shortening, 40 km south of the Nankai Trench, is confirmed. We conclude that tectonic evolution might well lead to future detachment of the Zenisu Ridge and overthrusting of this large piece of oceanic crust over the continental margin. Such a process might be an efficient one to emplace ophiolites over continents.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Nankai Trough and Zenisu Ridge: a deep-sea submersible survey does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Nankai Trough and Zenisu Ridge: a deep-sea submersible survey, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nankai Trough and Zenisu Ridge: a deep-sea submersible survey will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-857857

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.