METEOR M204

Expedition M204 "TRANSFORMERS" aims to study transform faults. These are geological structures that connect segments of mid-ocean ridges and are responsible for the lateral movement of oceanic plates.

Recent research challenges the established theory of plate tectonics: oceanic transform faults may be more than just "conservative" plate boundaries; they may represent a new type of plate boundary, characterised by phases of crust formation and tectonic stretching. Two hypotheses are tested:

1. The water depth along transform faults increases with decreasing spreading rates, forming deep valleys. These valleys are created by processes that also affect the distribution of earthquakes.

2. Transform valleys are deeper than adjacent fracture zones, suggesting additional geological processes before they are 'transformed' into fracture zones.

The M204 expedition will test these theories by using seismic, geodetic, temperature and magnetic measurements in the ocean to determine the precise structure and activity of these faults. The research will be carried out at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, southwest of the Azores in the North Atlantic. The specific study area includes the Oceanographer Transform Fault, a transform fault in this region.