• Journal of the Korean Geophysical Society
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2004

Geophysical data including chirp (3 7 kHz) subbottom profile and detailed bathymetry were obtained over three seamounts in the Ogasawara Fracture Zone (OFZ) of the western Pacific, as a part of manganese crust survey onboard R/V Onnuri in 2003. The OFZ is a 150-km-wide, 600-km-long rift zone, which separates the East Mariana and Pigafetta Basin. The OFZ is unique in that it includes many seamounts (e.g., Magellan Seamounts andseamounts on the Dutton Ridge). The sub-seafloor acoustic echoes obtained near the OFZ were classified into following types on the basis of their characteristics: types I-1(pelagic sediment with parallel or subparallel reflectors), I-2 (pelagic sediment with no internal reflectors), and III-1 (reef build-up complex) on summit; types II-1 and III-2 (basement outcrop) on flank rift zone and upper slope, respectively; type III-3 (slump) on the lower slope and embayment between the flank rift zones; types II-2 (debrite) on the base of slope and basin floor; and types II-3 (turbidite or pelagic sediment) and II-4 (turbidite) on the basin floor. The mass-wasting that produced the complex of type II-2 debrite and III-3 slump on the lower slope and basin may have been caused by (1) strong tensional stress in the OFZ which may cause the numerous fissures or basement faults and (2) complex of the faults on the summit and steep upper slope. The variations in the echo type of pelagic sediment in the summit of seamounts may be related with the changes in the depositional and/or erosional environments. Type I-2 pelagic sediment, which is characterized by a thin and intermittent coverage, was probably deposited at a sheltered area when the current was strong, whereas type I-1 pelagic deposit occurred during a stage of progressive sedimentation.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.559-565
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• 2004

Total magnetic field measurements were performed to study paleomagnetism of three seamounts (OSM7, OSM8-1, and OSM8-2) to the northwest of the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific. The study area is located at the Ogasawara Fracture Zone which is a boundary between the Pigafetta and East Mariana basins. The magnetic parameters and paleopoles of three seamounts were derived from inversion of the measured magnetic field. The goodness-of-fit ratio of OSM7 is too low to be included to the estimation of parameters. The complex magnetic anomalies of center, scarcity of flank rift zones and steep slope at OSM7 suggest that the multiple intrusions of magma converge into the center of volcanic edifice. Inclination calculated from the magnetic anomalies of OSM8-1 and OSM8-2 is $-41.2^{\circ}$, and the paleolatitude calculated from the inclination is $23.6^{\circ}S$. The corresponding paleopoles for OSM8-1 and OSM8-2 are $(24^{\circ}42'W,\;48^{\circ}54'N)\;and\;(18^{\circ}18'W,\;48^{\circ}30'N)$, respectively. In comparison with the apparent polar wander path (APWP) of the Pacific plate, the paleopoles are close to 129-Ma pole. The paleopoles and paleolatitudes of OSM8-1 and OSM8-2 suggest that they were formed at similar time and location. The seamounts have drifted northward about $41^{\circ}$ from the paleolatitude to present latitude of seamounts.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2005

The bathymetric and gravity data were obtained in 2001 and 2003 during a survey of seamounts in the northwest of the Marshall Islands, western Pacific. The study areas are located in the Pigafetta Basin which is the oldest part of the Pacific plate and in the Ogasawara Fracture Zone which formed from the spreading ridge between the Izanagi and Pacific plates in the Jurassic. The densities of seamounts and the elastic thickness values of the lithosphere are calculated by using three-dimensional flexure modeling considering the constant sediment layer in the infinite plate model. Very low elastic thickness values (5km), relatively young seamounts, and old lithosphere in the east study area suggest the possibility of the rejuvenation of lithosphere by widespread volcanisms, whereas the elastic thickness values (15km), relatively old seamounts, and young lithosphere of the west study area are suitable for a simple cooling plate model of $300-600^{\circ}C$ isotherm. The gravity residuals of OSM6-1 and OSM6-2 suggest the possibility of different load density or elastic thickness. Relatively older OSM6-2 formed on the younger lithosphere with relatively thin elastic thickness, while younger OSM6-1 on the older lithosphere with relatively thick elastic thickness.