Haiti2021 RAPID

Haiti2021 RAPID

We propose to conduct a marine geophysical survey (high-resolution seismic subbottom profiling) and sediment coring. The objectives are to learn about the offshore impact of the 2021 Haiti M7.2 earthquake, the complex tectonic regime that resulted in this and prior earthquakes, and to better understand where possible future ruptures could occur. Most of us were part of a prior NSF Rapid Response cruise (REPONS- Rapid Enriquillo Plantain Offshore Neotectonic Study) to Haiti after the M7.0 January 10, 2010 earthquake and have experience from other transform boundaries. We will acquire: 1) high-resolution subbottom profiling, 2) hull mounted chirp system, 3) piston cores (~20 cores 5 m each), 4) multicores (4 with 8 canisters each. Each canisters will hold 45 cm long liner) and 5) heat flow measurements at coring stations. Seismic data acquisition will consist of 24 channel streamer data recorded every 4 to 10 seconds depending on water depths, saved in standard segy format. Chirp data will consist of single channel Knudsen deconvolved envelop data saved in segy format. The cores and multicores will be positioned on the acquired subbottom grid. The cores will provide ages, sedimentation and deformation rates, and paleoseismic information on past earthquakes. At some core locations, we will also collect heat flow that will provide information on fault activity. Heat flow measurements will consist of 3-to-5 minute temperature decay profiles from 8 thermistors at each core site where the probe is deployed. All raw heat flow data will be in standard ascii .PEN format. The survey will take place in the Jeremy Basin 3,700 m of water depth, Canal du Sud Basin 1,700 m deep and Baie de Port au Prince 100 m deep. The plan is to conduct geophysical surveys during the daytime and coring at night. Oregon State University coring repository will provide the coring materials and support of one Senior Researcher from Southern Methodist University will provide the seismic equipment and support by one technician for the geophysical survey. We would need support from the R/V Pelican to operate the winch, A-frame and training in the operation of the Knudsen chirp and electronics, CTD with transmissometer and multicoring equipment (not liners and caps).