HESS EVOLUTION - Origin and Evolution of Hess Rise (NW Pacific)

• Applicants: Dr. Anke Dannowski; Privatdozent Dr. Jörg Geldmacher
• Subject Area: Geology ; Geophysics
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564896577

The HESS EVOLUTION Project aims to investigate the origin, volcanological and geochemical evolution as well as the regional geodynamic relationship of Hess Rise, one of the least explored large oceanic plateaus of the world's oceans. By combining bathymetric mapping with seismic and petrological-geochemical methods, we will determine whether the plateau was formed 1) at a mid-ocean ridge, 2) at a so-called triple junction, 3) by mantle plume (hotspot) activity alone, or 4) by a combination of the above. Since Hess Rise was formed during a time without frequent reversals of the Earth's magnetic field (Cretaceous Magnetic Quite Zone), these questions can only be addressed by the investigations proposed here. The results will be of great importance for both regional plate tectonic reconstructions of the Pacific basin as well as for the geodynamic understanding of marine Large Igneous Province formation in general.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2520: Infrastructure area - Research Vessels
• Co-Investigators: Dr. Jörg Bialas; Professor Dr. Kaj Hoernle