Post-diking Response to the Sept-Oct. 2005 Boina Event, Afar Depression, Ethiopia

Investigator(s):

Eric Calais (PI)

Sponsor:

Purdue University, IN 47907 7654944600

Start Date/Expiration Date

2006-06-01 to 2007-05-31 (amended 2006-05-02)

Awarded Amount to Date:

$3,253

Abstract: The northern Afar depression is a piece of recent ocean floor with morphological characteristics similar to those observed at slow-spreading mid-oceanic ridges. We know that the separation between tectonic plates at mid-oceanic ridges is mostly accounted by episodic intrusions of vertical sheets of magma, or dikes. The processes that govern their emplacement is however poorly understood since most oceanic spreading centers lie under 2-3 thousand meters of water, making direct observations extremely difficult and expensive. Between September 14 and November 5 2005, a massive rifting event took place in Afar, with the emplacement of a 60 km long dike with up to 8 m of opening. It is the largest single rifting event known to have occurred on land since the Laki (Iceland) eruption in 1783, and the first to occur in the era of satellite geodesy. This project will use continuous GPS observations of surface motions following the diking event to better understand the mechanics that governs the formation of oceanic floor. Our results will also serve to assess the hazard associated with the Gabho rift and provide the local authorities with scientific data needed to make decisions on population relocation.

NSF Org:

EAR - Division of Earth Sciences

Award Number:

0613651

Award Instrument:

Standard Grant

Program Manager:

Derek L. Schutt
EAR Division of Earth Sciences
GEO Directorate for Geosciences

NSF Program(s):

GEOPHYSICS

Field Application(s):

Human Subjects, Other nsf.applications NEC

Program Reference Code(s):

SMALL GRANTS-EXPLORATORY RSRCH, 9237
UNASSIGNED, 0000

Program Element Code(s):

1574