The Costa Rica Seismogenesis Project (CRISP) is designed to elucidate the processes that control nucleation and seismic rupture of large earthquakes at erosional subduction zones. The CRISP study area is located offshore the Osa Peninsula where the incoming Cocos Ridge has lifted the seismogenic zone to within reach of scientific drilling. This area is characterized by low sediment supply, a fast convergence rate, abundant plate interface seismicity, and a change in subducting plate relief along strike. In addition to elucidating processes at erosional convergent margins, this project is complementary to other deep fault drilling projects (e.g., The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment and J-FAST).

Expedition 344 is the second expedition of CRISP Program A (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Proposal 537A-Full5), a first step toward deep riser drilling through the seismogenic zone. The focus of CRISP Program A is on the shallow lithologic, hydrologic, stress, and thermal conditions that lead to unstable slip in the seismogenic zone. Together with Expedition 334, the first expedition of CRISP Program A, these data provide exciting insights into the nature of seismogenesis and erosive plate boundaries.

        For more information: http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/expeditions/exp344.html