GEOPECO is a multidiscipline geophysical and geological joint investigation in the region off Peru under guidance of GEOMAR. The continental margin of Peru is influenced by oblique subduction of the 28 - 38 Ma old Nazca plate. Since app. 8 Ma the continental rise is modified by subduction of the Nazca Ridge.

Work program during research cruise SO146 (1 Mar. 2000 - 4 May 2000) onboard RV Sonne comprised a bathymetric survey employing the on board multi-beam sonar, wide angle seismic profiling, geological probing, camera and video surveys of the seabottom, and heat flow determinations. Especially this part of the continental slope is dominated by folded sediments and sophisticated patterns of gas hydrates occurences.

Heat flow measurements, carried out by the University of Bremen are supposed to give clues on two topics: a) do compacting and dewatering sediments produce a recogniceable thermal signal due to porewater circulation and b) what remains of the thermal signal of the subducting Nazca plate on top of its sediment load? To tackle this aim, several profiles were investigated, perpendicular to the slope. From preliminary interpretations a correlation between seismically detected faults and increased heat flow can already be deduced.