An Integrated Geophysical Study of the Northern Gulf of Mexico
An Integrated Geophysical Study of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Author: Eray Kocel

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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The end members of passive continental margins are characterized as non-volcanic or volcanic depending on the nature of the transition zone. Differences between these two types are usually reflected by the differences of the physical properties of the Ocean-Continent Transition (OCT). Gravity, magnetic, and seismic data used to investigate the crustal structure of a portion of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Six 800-km long, crustal cross sections have been constructed across the study area with 70 km spacing. Two-dimensional crustal models, comprising 7 layers have been developed to simulate the observed Free-air gravity anomalies. The density of each layer has been kept constant and the geometry of the individual layers modified to obtain a good match to the gravity data. Where possible the gravity models have been constrained by available seismic and magnetic data. Interpretations for the boundaries between different crustal types are delineated by modeling. The magnetic anomalies were used to define the extent of the transitional crust and interpreted as the effects of subaerial flood basalts. For this study OCT was defined as the region where the crustal thickness is greater than 9 km and less than 25 km. The average width of the OCT in the models is 250 km which is greater than that found in previous studies at other volcanic margins. To satisfy concerns that some magnetic anomalies may be due to sea-floor spreading, an alternative model with a narrower transition was constructed which matched the data equally well. In order to reconstruct the pre-extension position of Yucatan the stretched continental crust and transitional zone (restored back to 32 km thickness) across the northern margin, 15° of rotation about a pole south of Florida and 9° further rotation for southern Gulf of Mexico is required. Results from previous studies suggest that the Yucatan Block underwent an additional 20° of rotation due to sea-floor spreading along the restoration arc (total amount of 44° counterclockwise rotation). The results of this thesis supports some previous studies that concluded: (1) the nature of the margin can be classified as being volcanic passive margin and (2) plate reconstructions require counterclockwise rotation for the opening of Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota
Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota

Author: Noreen A. Buster

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press

Published: 2011-05-30

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 1603442901

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Volume 3 of Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota; a series edited by John W. Tunnell Jr., Darryl L. Felder, and Sylvia A. Earle A continuation of the landmark scientific reference series from the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota, Volume 3, Geology provides the most up-to-date, systematic, cohesive, and comprehensive description of the geology of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. The six sections of the book address the geologic history, recent depositional environments, and processes offshore and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico region is continuous, extensive, and has broad-based influence upon scientific, governmental, and educational communities. This volume is a compilation of scientific knowledge from highly accomplished and experienced geologists who have focused most of their careers on gaining a better understanding of the geology of the Gulf of Mexico. Their research, presented in this volume, describes and explains the formation of the Gulf Basin, Holocene stratigraphic and sea-level history, energy resources, coral reefs, and depositional processes that affect and are represented along our Gulf coasts. It provides valuable synthesis and interpretation of what is known about the geology of the Gulf of Mexico. Five years in the making, this monumental compilation is both a lasting record of the current state of knowledge and the starting point for a new millennium of study.

A Selected Bibliography of Geology and Geophysics for the Gulf of Mexico
A Selected Bibliography of Geology and Geophysics for the Gulf of Mexico

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1968

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13:

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The selected bibliography is a product of an extensive literature search. The preponderance of the references selected have been published since 1950. The publications deal principally with the Marine Environment, however, a number of them apply to Terrestrial Geology and Geophysics peripheral to the Gulf. (Author).

Integrated Geophysical Analysis in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico
Integrated Geophysical Analysis in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

Author: Mei Liu

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 105

ISBN-13:

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The formation of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) relates to the breakup of Pangea and opening of the central Atlantic Ocean. The tectonic history of the basin is still being debated due to lack of geological constraints. This project addresses the crustal architecture in the northeastern GoM from integrative analysis of multiple geophysical datasets to provide constraints for the tectonic reconstruction.The objectives of this study are: 1) to delineate various tectonic zones (continental and oceanic domains) and map the boundary between them, 2) to derive physical properties of the subsurface rocks, 3) to map the major tectonic structures in the study area, such as the pre-salt basin and the Seaward Dipping Reflectors (SDR) province in continental domain, and segments of an extinct spreading center with associated transform faults in oceanic domain, and 4) to establish the spatial and temporal relations between different tectonic zones and structures. Three two-dimensional subsurface models were developed in the northeastern GoM by using consistent physical properties for subsurface rocks. Further, spatial analysis was performed on gravity and magnetic grids, which allowed mapping of various tectonic zones and structures. As a result of this study, two distinct spreading episodes of GoM formation were identified. The first one, presumably from 160 to 150 Ma, was an ultra-slow spreading event (estimated full spreading rate of 0.9 cm/yr) that produced thin (~5 km) and dense (2.95 g/cc) oceanic crust with fast seismic velocities (~7km/s) and high magnetic susceptibility (0.0075 cgs), most likely composed of gabbro. At ~150 Ma, the spreading center jumped to the south due to a change in location of the Euler pole. The second spreading episode was faster (1.1 cm/yr) and produced thicker crust (up to 9 km) composed of two layers – a basaltic layer (2-4 km thick, Vp = 6-6.5 km/s, density 2.65 g/cc and magnetic susceptibility 0.007 cgs) on top of a gabbroic one. The ridge propagation resulted in the asymmetry of the oceanic domain that needs to be accounted for during tectonic reconstruction.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences
Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences

Author: Wade H. Shafer

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 430

ISBN-13: 1461573947

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Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Oata Analysis and Synthesis (CINOAS) * at Purdue. University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 33 (thesis year 1988) a total of 13,273 theses titles from 23 Canadian and 1 85 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 33 reports theses submitted in 1988, on occasion, certain univer sities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.

Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota
Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota

Author: Thomas S. Bianchi

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press

Published: 2019-10-03

Total Pages: 697

ISBN-13: 1623497752

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The fifth volume in the Harte Research Institute’s landmark scientific series on the Gulf of Mexico provides the first comprehensive study that covers the major core subjects of chemical oceanography in the Gulf. It synthesizes a tremendous amount of established research, together with the most recent information emerging from studies conducted during and after the Macondo Well oil spill that resulted from the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform. Situated within the boundaries of a changing semi-tropical region, the Gulf of Mexico is a particularly important body to its bordering countries—the United States, Mexico, and Cuba—and directly influences the economies of these nations through shipping, oil and gas extraction, mineral mining, fisheries, and myriad ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. The changing chemistry of the Gulf also has wide-ranging effects on weather patterns as many of the hurricanes that reach land in the US and Mexico pass through this ocean basin. We are already seeing some of the consequences of climate change, including, to name one example, the increased frequency of harmful algal blooms, the cause of which is still unknown in most cases. This book brings together a team of expert chemical oceanographers from the US and Mexico to provide a foundational understanding of the complex chemistry of North America’s only marginal sea. Gulf of Mexico Origin, Waters, and Biota: Volume 5, Chemical Oceanography serves as an important reference for understanding the basic science, management, and economic issues facing the Gulf of Mexico while pointing out key topics in critical need of additional research.