Mapping of Seafloor Hydrothermally Altered Rocks Using Geophysical Methods: Marsili and Palinuro Seamounts, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2014 Mapping of Seafloor Hydrothermally Altered Rocks Using Geophysical Methods: Marsili and Palinuro Seamounts, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea Marco Ligi; Marco Ligi † 1Istituto di Scienze Marine, CNR, Via Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy †Corresponding author: e-mail, marco.ligi@bo.ismar.cnr.it Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luca Cocchi; Luca Cocchi 2Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Roma 2, Via Pezzino Basso 2, 19025, Fezzano (La Spezia), Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Giovanni Bortoluzzi; Giovanni Bortoluzzi 1Istituto di Scienze Marine, CNR, Via Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Filippo D’Oriano; Filippo D’Oriano 1Istituto di Scienze Marine, CNR, Via Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Filippo Muccini; Filippo Muccini 2Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Roma 2, Via Pezzino Basso 2, 19025, Fezzano (La Spezia), Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Fabio Caratori Tontini; Fabio Caratori Tontini 3GNS Science, Ocean Exploration Section, 1 Fairway Dr., Avalon, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cornel E. J. de Ronde; Cornel E. J. de Ronde 3GNS Science, Ocean Exploration Section, 1 Fairway Dr., Avalon, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cosmo Carmisciano Cosmo Carmisciano 2Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Roma 2, Via Pezzino Basso 2, 19025, Fezzano (La Spezia), Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Economic Geology (2014) 109 (8): 2103–2117. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.8.2103 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Marco Ligi, Luca Cocchi, Giovanni Bortoluzzi, Filippo D’Oriano, Filippo Muccini, Fabio Caratori Tontini, Cornel E. J. de Ronde, Cosmo Carmisciano; Mapping of Seafloor Hydrothermally Altered Rocks Using Geophysical Methods: Marsili and Palinuro Seamounts, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Economic Geology 2014;; 109 (8): 2103–2117. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.8.2103 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 SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Hydrothermal alteration processes involve mineralogical, chemical, and textural changes as a result of hot aqueous fluid-rock interaction under evolving boundary conditions. These changes affect the physico-chemical properties of the rocks, enabling high-resolution geophysical prospecting to be an important tool in the detection of seafloor hydrothermal alteration. Here we present the results of recent geophysical investigations of the Marsili and Palinuro volcanic complexes, southern Tyrrhenian Sea, during the 2010 TIR10 and 2011 MAVA2011 cruises by the R/V Urania. The new dataset includes a dense grid of multibeam bathymetry; seafloor reflectivity, magnetic and gravity lines; and high-resolution single (CHIRP) and multichannel seismic profiles. The surveys were focused on areas known to host intense hydrothermal alteration in order to provide a more detailed description of the Marsili and Palinuro hydrothermal systems. Ground-truthing was based on earlier discoveries of hydrothermal vents and their associated deposits, and on direct observations made by ROV dives. High-resolution morpho-bathymetry, sonar reflectivity, rock magnetization, and density distribution together enabled us to assess the extent of seafloor hydrothermal alteration and its relationship to local volcanic and tectonic structures. Hydrothermal alteration associated with the Marsili seamount is largely distributed along primary volcano-tectonic structures at the ridge crest. By contrast, at Palinuro hydrothermal alteration is mostly associated with secondary volcanic structures such as collapsed calderas and volcanism reactivation along ring faults. In particular, evidence for intense hydrothermal activity occurs at Palinuro where volcanotectonic features interact with regional tectonic structures. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.