Project Summary Oceanic crust makes up two thirds of the Earth's surface. It has been studied by geophysicists using remote sensing techniques such as seismic exploration, and by geologists using samples and observations. Despite many years of study, the processes by which oceanic crust is formed are not fully understood, and geologists and geophysicists often conflict over the basic definitions of crustal structure. Examining two "tectonic windows" where cross sections of the oceanic crust are exposed -- the Hess Deep in the Equatorial Pacific and the Blanco Fracture Zone off the coast of Washington State -- this project seeks to reconcile differing views of oceanic crust by making a direct comparison between seismic interpretations and geologic mapping of oceanic crustal structure. |