Galapagos Platform

This research involves submersible-based (ROV or Alvin) sampling and geological mapping of the volcanic stratigraphy at various locations along the margin of the Platform along with a comprehensive shore-based geochemical study of sampled lavas and sampling and dating of deep-sea corals for paleoclimate research in collaboration with UK colleague Dr. Laura Robinson- U. Bristol. These studies will allow us to investigate the volcanic emplacement processes involved in construction of the Platform and geochemical relationships between the submarine platform lavas and adjacent/overlying volcanic islands. During the planned research cruise, we will conduct the most comprehensive and systematic in situ sampling of the volumetrically largest volcanic portion of the Galápagos Archipelago, the Galápagos Platform. The UK component of the research program will combine field work (sample collections from the Eastern Equatorial Pacific, EEP), geochemical analyses (precisely-dated, high-resolution carbon cycle records from deep-sea corals) and integrated modeling (intermediate complexity and GCM). These approaches will be used to provide specific tests of competing hypotheses, as well as a broad synthesis of the processes controlling the carbon cycle during the most pronounced warming period of recent Earth history. In order to conduct the mapping and sampling of lavas, deep-sea corals and associated biology required to meet our research objectives, we plan to carry out a 23 day field program on a Global class vessel with either ROV Jason or HOV Alvin at approximately 10 study sites distributed around and within the Galapagos Platform, and along the southern end of the Northern Volcanic Seamount Chain that extends to the NNW from the platform to the Galapagos Spreading Center.