Magmatic-tectonic conditions for hydrothermal venting on an ultraslow-spread oceanic core complex

Abstract

Research Article| July 26, 2017 Magmatic-tectonic conditions for hydrothermal venting on an ultraslow-spread oceanic core complex Jennifer L. Harding; Jennifer L. Harding 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Harm J.A. Van Avendonk; Harm J.A. Van Avendonk 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nicholas W. Hayman; Nicholas W. Hayman 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ingo Grevemeyer; Ingo Grevemeyer 2GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research, Wischhofstr. 1-3, D-24148 Kiel, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christine Peirce; Christine Peirce 3Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Anke Dannowski Anke Dannowski 2GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research, Wischhofstr. 1-3, D-24148 Kiel, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jennifer L. Harding 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Harm J.A. Van Avendonk 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Nicholas W. Hayman 1Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Building 196, Austin, Texas 78758, USA Ingo Grevemeyer 2GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research, Wischhofstr. 1-3, D-24148 Kiel, Germany Christine Peirce 3Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK Anke Dannowski 2GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research, Wischhofstr. 1-3, D-24148 Kiel, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 10 Feb 2017 Revision Received: 21 Apr 2017 Accepted: 26 May 2017 First Online: 26 Jul 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2017 Geological Society of America Geology (2017) 45 (9): 839–842. https://doi.org/10.1130/G39045.1 Article history Received: 10 Feb 2017 Revision Received: 21 Apr 2017 Accepted: 26 May 2017 First Online: 26 Jul 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jennifer L. Harding, Harm J.A. Van Avendonk, Nicholas W. Hayman, Ingo Grevemeyer, Christine Peirce, Anke Dannowski; Magmatic-tectonic conditions for hydrothermal venting on an ultraslow-spread oceanic core complex. Geology 2017;; 45 (9): 839–842. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G39045.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Hydrothermal venting, an important cooling mechanism of the Earth, supports a diverse array of seafloor and sub-seafloor ecosystems that are sustained by large thermal and chemical fluxes. Vents have been found along even the slowest and coldest spreading centers, calling into question the driving heat source for these vents. The ultraslow-spreading Mid-Cayman Spreading Center in the Caribbean Sea, which hosts the axial-flank Von Damm Vent Field (VDVF), provides an opportunity to probe the mechanisms for venting at ultraslow spreading rates. Using active-source seismic data from the 2015 CaySeis (Cayman Seismic) experiment, we determined the seismic velocities in the large massif beneath the VDVF. We propose that this massif was produced by a pulse of on-axis magmatism at ca.2 Ma, which was then followed by exhumation, cooling, and fracturing. A low seismic velocity anomaly 5 km below the VDVF is evidence for either a cracking front mining lithospheric heat or intrusive magmatic sills, both of which could drive ongoing deep hydrothermal fluid circulation. We conclude that the transient magmatism and variable crustal thickness at ultraslow-spreading centers create conditions for long-lived hydrothermal venting that may be widespread, and other VDVF-like vents may be common in these areas. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.