Award Abstract # 0909568
Plate Boundaries Around the Chukchi Borderland; An Integrated Geophysics Cruise to Test Models for the Formation of the Canada Basin

NSF Org: OPP
Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
Initial Amendment Date: August 26, 2009
Latest Amendment Date: August 26, 2009
Award Number: 0909568
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Henrietta Edmonds
hedmonds@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7427
OPP
 Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: September 1, 2009
End Date: August 31, 2013 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $607,031.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $607,031.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2009 = $607,031.00
ARRA Amount: $607,031.00
History of Investigator:
  • Bernard Coakley (Principal Investigator)
    bjcoakley@alaska.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus
2145 N TANANA LOOP
FAIRBANKS
AK  US  99775-0001
(907)474-7301
Sponsor Congressional District: 00
Primary Place of Performance: University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus
2145 N TANANA LOOP
FAIRBANKS
AK  US  99775-0001
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
00
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): FDLEQSJ8FF63
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): ANS-Arctic Natural Sciences
Primary Program Source: 01R00910DB RRA RECOVERY ACT
Program Reference Code(s): 0000, 1079, 6890, 9150, OTHR
Program Element Code(s): 528000
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.078

ABSTRACT

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

Coakley 0909568
University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Chukchi Borderland is a block of extended continental crust embedded in the oceanic crust of the Canada Basin. As the piece that does not fit the simple ?windshield wiper? model for the Mesozoic opening of this basin, it figures prominently in all tectonic models proposed for the opening of the Amerasian Basin. Funds are provided to use multi-channel seismic (MCS) reflection techniques to test these hypotheses. By imaging the sedimentary section and tracing the continuity of structure, crustal thickness and stratigraphy across the edges of this high-standing continental block, it should be possible to distinguish between strike-slip, extensional and compressional boundaries. By tying the basinal stratigraphy to well-dated sediments on the Chukchi Shelf, it will be possible to propagate seismic stratigraphic age control into the Arctic Ocean basin to date the extensional dissection of the Borderland and lay the groundwork for scientific drilling.

The four edges of the Chukchi Borderland present distinct scientific opportunities as well as possibilities for broader impact. Two particular edges have been selected as offering the best pay-off, although only one may be surveyed given the limited ship days available to this project:
The transition from the Chukchi Shelf to the Chukchi Borderland ? Potential fields data (eg. gravity and magnetic anomaly data) suggest a discontinuity between the North American continental crust of the Chukchi Shelf and the adjacent Chukchi Borderland crust of uncertain affinity. In addition to directly observing any structures that define the transition, collecting the proposed data would also make it possible to link the substantial historical 2-D MCS grid on the shelf and the age control there to the stratigraphy of the Arctic Ocean. This is the least challenging area for sea ice. This region should be open water during the August-September period.
The northern edge of the Chukchi Borderland ? Bathymetry data appear to show extensional structures from the interior basins within the Borderland plunging below the sediment cover off the continental high. This is in conflict with some models, which require a transform fault at the northern limit of the bathymetric high.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Dove, D.L., L. Polyak and B. Coakley "Widespread, multi-source glacial erosion on the Chukchi margin, Arctic Ocean" Journal of Quaternary Science Reviews , 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.07.016

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