Abstract

The Kermadec Arc volcanic chain and associated Havre Trough back-arc is a type example of an oceanic arc, where the Pacific Plate is being subducted beneath the Australian Plate. The Kermadec Arc–Havre Trough (KAHT) system extends southward from 25° 36'S, where subduction of the Louisville Seamount Chain (LSC) marks the boundary between the northern Kermadec Arc and the Tonga Arc. The ocean current system in this region is dominated at depth (2,000 m) by the Deep Western Boundary Current, which flows northward around the Chatham Rise, along the northern margin of the Hikurangi Plateau and northward between the Kermadec Ridge and Kermadec Trench, with inflow into the KAHT. The geomorphology of the KAHT changes abruptly at ∼32°S. Here, the frontal arc converges with the Kermadec Ridge, which together with the Colville Ridge dramatically widens. The Havre Trough is also more sediment filled and has significantly shallower water depths of generally <3,000 mbsl. Benthic invertebrate assemblages are dominated by echinoderms, cnideria, and arthropods. Hydrothermal vents occur on many of the seamounts, and their communities consist of over 20 invertebrate species. Bathymodiolid mussels are the predominant species at many of the venting sites, with stalked barnacles often associated with black-smoker vents, and alvinocaridid shrimps common at diffuse venting sites. Stratovolcanoes in the south host large beds of an endemic bathymodiolid mussel Gigantidas gladius.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.