Background

Barbados

 The Barbados accretionary complex is located in the Caribbean where the north


American Plate (Figure 2-1) is being subducted beneath the Caribbean Plate at a rate of


about 2 cm/yr in an east-west direction (DeMets et al., 1990). Active accretion of


sediments at the Barbados accretionary complex takes place at the eastward end of the


complex. The complex is partially exposed above sea level at Barbados Island (Figure 2-


1). At the location of DSDP and ODP drilling, the incoming sediments are


predominantly clay and claystones.


 A w **









 SDSDP'ODP dril T.1e.


 \\ \ ^ area
 ,o









Depth
A45. .45
 1 Site (in She 1047 Ste k10
 --..---. I I I 1 3. .- -
 4S-- -" -45
 SI5 1O4* S*n $401041 (tss4





 Bend in seclon
 1 5 km
Figure 2-1. A) Map of large-scale regional setting location of the drill sites at the
 Barbados accretionary complex. B) Cross section from the seismic depth