Collaborative Research: New Tools Applied to a Classic Problem: Towards an Understanding of What Shapes the Stratigraphic Record at Passive Margins

Funds are provided for the PIs to study the Upper Cretaceous to Lower Paleogene and Quaternary unconformities and stratal patterns on the New York and New Jersey margins. Two separate but fundamental questions to stratigraphy of the margins are to be addresed: how sequence boundaries and stratigraphic discontinuities formed during times of reduced sealevel fluctuations, and why the Quaternary section does not have unconformities associated with each sealevel cycle. The PIs plan to acquire side-scan sonar images, Chirp images (for subseafloor shallow features), MCS images and vinracores from this area. They will also use ODP site 1073 for chronology. These data will provide a high-resolution physical stratigraphy and precise chronology leading to understanding of eustatic vs. other factors in building sequences.