Seismic identification of along-axis hydrothermal flow on the East Pacific Rise

M. Tolstoy (), F. Waldhauser, D. R. Bohnenstiehl, R. T. Weekly and W.-Y. Kim
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M. Tolstoy: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
F. Waldhauser: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
D. R. Bohnenstiehl: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
R. T. Weekly: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
W.-Y. Kim: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA

Nature, 2008, vol. 451, issue 7175, 181-184

Abstract: Against the flow Hydrothermal circulation at the axis of mid-ocean ridges occurs when water seeps through fissures on the seafloor and travels down towards molten rock where it warms, finally emerging as super-heated fluid at hydrothermal vents. These vent systems account for much of the heat and mass transfer from the crust to the ocean. It is commonly thought that the direction of circulation in these systems is across the ridge axis, with recharge occurring along faults away from the axis. This view is based mainly on modelling. Now, after seven months of monitoring of microearthquake locations beneath a hydrothermal vent field on the East Pacific Rise, Tolstoy et al. report that here at least, the hydrothermal down-flow zone is probably located on the ridge axis, with hydrothermal circulation oriented along the ridge axis.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature06424

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