Two hydrothermal fields found on the Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Abstract

In recent years, a series of cruises have been launched by China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) to conduct hydrothermal activity investigation at mid-ocean ridges (MOR). Since the first active hydrothermal field at 49.6°E Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) was found in 2007 by Chinese scientists on board R/V Dayangyihao, more hydrothermal fields have been found on the SWIR and equatorial East Pacific Rise (EPR) [1-4]. From November to December 2009, two new hydrothermal fields were discovered at 13°-14°S South Mid-Atlantic Ridge (SMAR) during Cruise DY115-21, representing the first discovery of hydrothermal fields on the MAR for China. They are also the southernmost hydrothermal fields known on the MAR at that time.