Brown University received a $335,370 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation Division of Earth Sciences under the Geosciences federal grant program (CFDA 47.050). The award will fund research from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 to evaluate the processes that create, modify and destroy continental crust through studying the transition from normal subduction to slab window formation in southern Patagonia. Specifically, the university will collect new geochemical and microstructural data on mantle xenoliths across southern Patagonia, which have been sampled over the last 50 million years encompassing the tectonic transition. The research aims to determine the P-T conditions, hydration extent, refertilization and deformation of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle during this transition. It will allow estimation of effective viscosity and stability, and evaluation of whether deformation preceded or was affected by water/melt introduction. New seismological data will also be combined with the geochemical characterization to assess impacts on seismic properties and test hypotheses regarding removed lithospheric mantle contributions. Results will inform complementary studies of the West Antarctic lithospheric mantle and implications for Patagonia and West Antarctica's shared continental history. The award supports research facilities, an early career researcher, and graduate and undergraduate student involvement.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $335.4k | 6/13/23 |