<p> The calculated extension (~111 km) across the Woodlark rift is incompatible with the > 130 km needed to exhume the Metamorphic Core Complexes on shallow angle faults (&lt; 30&deg;) using N-S extension in the Woodlark Basin. High resolution bathymetry, seismicity, and seismic reflection data indicate that the Nubara Fault continues west of the Trobriand Trough, intersects the Woodlark spreading center, and forms the northern boundary of the Woodlark plate and the southern boundary of the Trobriand plate. The newly defined Trobriand plate, to the north of this boundary, has moved SW-NE along the right lateral Nubara Fault, creating SW-NE extension in the region bounded by the MCC's of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands and Moresby Seamount. Gravity and bathymetry data extracted along four transect lines were used to model the gravity and flexure across the Nubara Fault boundary. Differences exist in the elastic thickness between the northern and southern parts of the lines at the Metamorphic Core Complexes of Goodenough Island (Te_south = 5.7 x 103 m; Te_north = 6.1 x 103 m) and Fergusson Island (Te_south = 1.2 x 103 m; Te_north = 5.5 x 103 m). Differences in the elastic strength of the lithosphere also exist at Moresby Seamount (Te_south = 4.2 x 103 m; Te_north = 4.7 x 103 m) and Egum Atoll (Te_south =7.5 x 103 m; Te_north = 1.3 x 104 m). The differences between the northern and southern parts of each transect line imply an east-west boundary that is interpreted to be the Nubara Fault. The opening of the Woodlark Basin resulted in the rotation of the Papuan Peninsula and the Woodlark Rise, strike slip motion between the Solomon Sea and the Woodlark Basin at the Nubara Fault, and the formation of the PAC-SOL-WLK; SOL-WLK-TRB triple junctions. The intersection of the Woodlark Spreading Center with the Nubara Fault added the AUS-WLK-TRB triple junction and established the Nubara Fault as the northern boundary of the Woodlark plate.</p>

No description available.

Convergent continental margins are regions of intense deformation caused by the interaction of oceanic plates with continents. The spatial extent of deformation is broadly commensurate with the specific time scale of the causative phenomenon. For example, subduction-related short-term deformation is limited to <200 km from the margin, whereas long-term plate convergence cause deformation over ∼1000 km landward. Deformation is thus manifested in multiple ways, with attributes depending on the scale of measurement. In this thesis we investigate the use of two geophysical approaches in the study of deformation: 1) The analysis of potential-field anomalies to derive estimates of the elastic thickness (Te) of the lithosphere, and 2) The structural study of past and present subduction systems using seismic observations and modelling. Both approaches involve the development of appropriate methodologies for data analysis and modelling, and their application to the western Canadian landmass. Our findings are summarized as follows: 1) We develop a wavelet-based technique to map variations in Te and its anisotropy; 2) We show how a step-wise transition in Te and its anisotropy from the Cordillera to the Craton is a major factor influencing lithospheric deformation; 3) We implement a waveform modelling tool that includes the effects of structural heterogeneity and anisotropy for teleseismic applications, and use it to model the signature of a fossil subduction zone in a Paleoproterozoic terrane; 4) We use teleseismic recordings to map slab edge morphology in northern Cascadia and show how slab window tectonism and slab stretching led to the creation of the oceanic Explorer plate; 5) We use seismic signals from the subducting oceanic crust to calculate elevated Poisson’s ratio and infer high pore-fluid pressures and a low-permeability plate boundary within the forearc region of northern Cascadia.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tulsa, 1989. / Bibliography: leaves 102-109.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-159).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on July 8, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Rennes, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 405-423). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Western Washington University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-70). Also issued online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cape Town, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-199).