TIGERS - Investigating crustal Thickness Irregularities and the Geodynamic Evolution of the intra-oceanic Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center.

TIGERS is funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. It is part of the ARCHIMEDES – I project. With TIGERS we investigate the crustal structure of the southern part of the Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center (FRSC). The FRSC is located in the Lau Basin (South-west Pacific Ocean) in between Fiji and Tonga. We are trying to answer the question where along the FRSC the change from rifting (thinning of the oceanic crust) to spreading (production of new oceanic crust) occurs. With the use of refraction and reflection seismic data acquired during the ARCHIMEDES – I expedition, we get an idea about the thickness of the crust and geochemical composition. This information is valuable, as it tells us something about the tectonic state of this part of the Lau Basin.