Slow-spreading Mid-ocean Ridges Research Articles

Deformation associated to exhumation of serpentinized mantle rocks in a fossil Ocean Continent Transition: The Totalp unit in SE Switzerland

Although the exhumation of ultramafic rocks in slow and ultraslow spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges and Ocean Continent Transitions (OCTs) has been extensively investigated, the deformation processes related to mantle exhumation are poorly constrained. In this paper we present a new geological map and a section across the exhumed serpentinized peridotites of the Totalp unit near Davos (SE Switzerland), and we propose that the Totalp unit is formed by two Alpine thrust sheets. Geological mapping indicates local exposure of a paleo-seafloor that is formed by an exhumed detachment surface and serpentinized peridotites. The top of the exhumed mantle rocks is made of ophicalcites that resulted from the carbonation of serpentine under static conditions at the seafloor. The ophicalcites preserve depositional contacts with Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous pelagic sediments (Bernoulli and Weissert, 1985). These sequences did not exceed prehnite–pumpellyite metamorphic facies conditions, and locally escaped Alpine deformation.Thin mylonitic shear zones as well as foliated amphibole-bearing ultramafic rocks have been mapped. The age of these rocks and the link with the final exhumation history are yet unknown but since amphibole-bearing ultramafic rocks can be found as clasts in cataclasites related to the detachment fault, they pre-date detachment faulting. Our petrostructural study of the exhumed serpentinized rocks also reveals a deformation gradient from cataclasis to gouge formation within 150m in the footwall of the proposed paleo-detachment fault. This deformation postdates serpentinization. It involves a component of plastic deformation of serpentine in the most highly strained intervals that has suffered pronounced grain-size reduction and a polyphase cataclastic overprint.

Active Long-Lived Faults Emerging Along Slow-Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges

Active Long-Lived Faults Emerging Along Slow-Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges

Elastic thickness control of lateral dyke intrusion at mid-ocean ridges

Magmatic accretion at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges exhibits specific features. Although magma supply is focused at the centre of second-order segments, melts are episodically distributed along the rift toward segment ends by lateral dyke intrusions. It has been previously suggested that an along-axis downward topographic slope away from the magma source is sufficient to explain lateral dyke propagation. However, this cannot account for the poor correlation between dyke opening and surface elevation in the 2005–2010 series of 14 dyke intrusions of Afar (Ethiopia). Using mechanical arguments, constrained by both geodetic and seismological observations, we propose that the large dykes that initiate near the mid-segment magma source are attracted toward segment ends as a result of a thickening of the elastic–brittle lithosphere in the along-rift direction. This attraction arises from the difference of elastic resistance between the segment centre where the lithosphere is thermally weakened by long-term focusing of melts, and comparatively “colder”, hence stronger segment ends. The axial topographic gradient in magmatic rifts may be more likely explained as an incidental consequence of these variations of along-axis elastic–brittle thickness, rather than the primary cause of lateral dyke injections.

Eruptive hummocks: Building blocks of the upper ocean crust

The spreading axis at many slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges is marked by an axial volcanic ridge. In this study, we use a combination of high-resolution remote sensing methods to elucidate the detailed nature of volcanoes in such a ridge. We find that the “hummocks” described in previous sidescan sonar studies are dome- or cone-shaped edifices, 5–150 m high with diameters of 30–330 m. We estimate they form quickly, in single eruptions, each of which may produce several hummocks. Hummock collapse is common and hummocks of all heights are prone to failure. Collapses generally occur down the regional seafloor slope, suggesting control by local topography. Approximately 33% of hummocks lose ∼40% of their volume by collapse, so ∼12% of all material erupted on the axial volcanic ridge is rapidly converted to talus. The higher porosity of these deposits may increase average upper crustal porosity by several percent, contributing >0.5 km s−1 to seismic velocity decrease in the upper oceanic crust, and may be one of the dominant mechanisms for increasing porosity in upper slow-spreading oceanic crust.

Hydrothermal systems in peridotites at slow-spreading ridges. Modeling phase transformations and material balance: Role of gabbroids

This work was aimed on the estimation of role of gabbro in the ore mobilization during hydrother� mal transformation of oceanic (gabbro-peridotite) crust at slowspreading midocean ridges. Kinetic-ther� modynamic modeling was used to reconstruct the geochemical and mineralogical trends of evolution of gab� broids during their hydrothermal interaction with marine fluid. The results of our simulation offered a new insight into some problems of material balance and ore formation during hydrothermal process in the slow� spreading midocean ridges. It was shown that the root zones of all known MAR hydrothermal fields related to serpentinites are made up of ultrabasic rocks and located within peridotite protolith near hot and uncooled gabbroic bodies. It was also demonstrated that the observed mineral and geochemical diversity of metagab� bros of slowspreading midocean ridges was provided by the interaction of hydrothermal fluid percolating through the Hesstype oceanic crust with gabbro bodies . It was established that almost cooled gabbroid bod� ies, being involved in hydrothermal circulation in the shallow root zones, may play an important role in the redistribution of the material within the Hesstype oceanic crust.

Interaction of Gravity Flows With a Rugged Mid-Ocean-Ridge Seafloor: An Outcrop Example from Macquarie Island

Rugged bathymetry along slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges has the potential to impinge a strong control on gravity flows derived from oceanic fault scarps. Sedimentary lithofacies from the Macquarie Island ophiolite supports this hypothesis by displaying systematic variations that correspond with volcanic substrate differences and proximity to rift-related faults. Pillow-basalt terranes are associated with tightly confined bedrock corridors that funnel gravity flows into one direction. Vertical lithofacies variations formed from high-density to low-density turbidity currents record successive fill stages of the corridor axis. During initial stages tight confinement in the axis suppressed flow dilution and fluid turbulence. With continued corridor-axis filling, more dilute gravity flows predominated and formed lateral gradations from axial coarse-grained turbidites into thinly interbedded overbank lithofacies along corridor margins. These gravity-flow lithofacies converge into very thin muddy condensed intervals along inter-corridor highs where significant bottom-current reworking occurred. Conversely, partly confined tabular-basalt-floored basins promoted lateral expansion and dilution of gravity flows throughout the duration of basin filling. Variable paleocurrent-indicator directions record multiple reflections of single gravity-flow events off basin-bounding fault barriers. Coarsening-upward trends in these partly confined basins from thinly interbedded pelagic chert and ripple-bedded sandstones up into stacked turbidites preserves the ponding of sediment-starved submarine fans. In general, these ponded basins preserve the fine-grained distal ends of a gravity-flow continuum from coarse-grained fault-proximal en masse failures and cohesionless debris flows into medial high-density turbidity flows and distal dilute turbidity flows.

Oceanic plagiogranites as a result of interaction between magmatic and hydrothermal systems in the slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges

The paper considers some petrological and geochemical aspects of the formation of oceanic plagiogranites (OPG)—felsic intrusive rocks, which were found in the plutonic complexes of modern mid-ocean ridges (MOR) and ophiolites of paleo-collisional zones. Based on the multi-equilibrium clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase geothermobarometry, typical OPG found in gabbros and peridotites were formed at temperatures of 820–850°C and pressure of 2–2.5 kbar. Close temperature estimates (825 ± 50°C) were obtained from literature data on Ti content in zircon, with allowance for lowered TiO2 activity in the rock. Under these P-T parameters, OPG can be generated only in the presence of fluid of water activity \( \left( {a_{H_2 O} } \right) \) close to 0.9. OPG and associated recrystallized gabbroids contain high-temperature hornblende with significant Cl content (0.5–2 wt %). In addition, the plagiogranites are characterized by particular geochemical features such as extremely high Na2O/K2O (up to 135), sharp LREE enrichment ((Ce/Yb)cn and (La/Sm)cn up to 10 and 4, respectively), and elevated 87Sr/86Sr ratio relative to DMM. All these facts point to the key role of hydrothermal fluid, the seawater derivative, in the OPG formation. The fluid with \( a_{H_2 O} = 0.9 \) (approximately 28 wt % NaCl) could be produced from seawater due to hydration reactions at the higher lower temperature horizons of oceanic crust in the course of its percolation to the OPG generation areas. The formation of plagiogranites in the MOR oceanic core complexes possibly reflects the fundamental feature of oceanic accretion: practically simultaneous (at the geological time scale) proceeding of exogenic (neptunic) and endogenous (plutonic) processes.

Origin and development of the morphological structure of the rift zone of slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges

Due to the complex transformation of the Earth’s crust in the rift valley, the morphology of the newly formed crust is changed by that of the province of rift mountains. The main factors of the variability of the morphological structure are as follows: the tectonomagmatic cyclicity of the geodynamic processes at the spreading centers and the isostatic uplift of the rift valley floor. The interchange of magmatic and tectonic cycles determines the difference in the bathymetric levels of the isostatic equilibrium at the edges of the rift valley slopes and the beginning of the formation of the topography of the province of rift mountains. This relief represents an indepth system of ridges and valleys rhythmically interchanging in the lateral direction. The morphology of the province of rift mountaines becomes the morphology of the acoustic basement throughout the ocean floor, except for the continental margins and areas of intraplate tectonics and volcanism.

Hydrothermal systems hosted in peridotites at slow-spreading ridges. Modeling phase transformations and material balance: Upwelling limb of the hydrothermal cell

The research was centered on the estimation of geochemical and mineralogical effects related to the transport of hydrothermal fluid to the seafloor surface in the upwelling limb of a hydrothermal system hosted in peridotites at slow-spreading mid-oceanic ridges. The three variants of the location of the root zone of the circulation cell considered in this research were as follows: (1) shallow-depth, with T = 107°C, P = 1.14 kbar; (2) moderate low depths, with T = 151°C, P = 1.4 kbar; and (3) deep, with T = 500°C, P = 4 kbar. The modeling results demonstrate that ore material is accumulated in the discharge zones of serpentinite-related hydrothermal systems only at a high temperature of the fluid in the discharge zone of the upwelling limb of the circulation cell. The root zones at hydrothermal fields that meet this condition should be situated at a significant depth in the crustal section. It was also established that a significant volume of ore material involved in hydrothermal material exchange between the peridotites and fluid is redeposited in the downwelling limb of the hydrothermal system and gives rise to disseminated ore mineralization, which is typical of many serpentinized abyssal peridotites. The activity of moderately low-temperature and low-temperature hydrothermal systems in peridotites does not concentrate ore material in the discharge zone, and no hydrothermal edifices can grow at such systems.

Sulfur cycling at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: A multiple sulfur isotope approach

Abstract The role of sulfur in two hydrothermal vent systems, the Logatchev hydrothermal field at 14°45′N/44°58′W and several different vent sites along the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (SMAR) between 4°48′S and 9°33′S and between 12°22′W and 13°12′W, is examined by utilizing multiple sulfur isotope and sulfur concentration data. Isotope compositions for sulfide minerals and vent H2S from different SMAR sites range from + 1.5 to + 8.9‰ in δ34S and from + 0.001 to + 0.051‰ in Δ33S. These data indicate mixing of mantle sulfur with sulfur from seawater sulfate. Combined δ34S and Δ33S systematics reveal that vent sulfide from SMAR is characterized by a sulfur contribution from seawater sulfate between 25 and 33%. This higher contribution, compared with EPR sulfide, indicates increased seawater sulfate reduction at MAR, because of a deeper seated magma chamber and longer fluid upflow path length, and points to fundamental differences with respect to subsurface structures and fluid evolution at slow and fast spreading mid-ocean ridges. Additionally, isotope data uncover non-equilibrium isotopic exchange between dissolved sulfide and sulfate in an anhydrite bearing zone below the vent systems at fluid temperatures between 335 and 400 °C. δ34S values between + 0.2 to + 8.8‰ for dissolved and precipitated sulfide from Logatchev point to the same mixing process between mantle sulfur and sulfur from seawater sulfate as at SMAR. δ34S values between − 24.5 and + 6.5‰ and Δ33S values between + 0.001 and + 0.125‰ for sulfide-bearing sediments and mafic/ultramafic host rocks from drill cores taken in the region of Logatchev indicate a clear contribution of biogenic sulfides formed via bacterial sulfate reduction. Basalts and basaltic glass from SMAR sites with Δ33S = − 0.008‰ reveal lower Δ33S lower values than suggested on the basis of previously published isotopic measurements of terrestrial materials. We conclude that the combined use of both δ34S and Δ33S provides a more detailed picture of the sulfur cycling in hydrothermal systems at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and uncovers systematic differences to hydrothermal sites at different mid-ocean ridge sites. Multiple sulfur isotope measurements allow identification of incomplete isotope exchange in addition to isotope mixing as a second important factor influencing the isotopic composition of dissolved sulfide during fluid upflow. Furthermore, based on Δ33S we are able to clearly distinguish biogenic from hydrothermal sulfides in sediments even when δ34S were identical.

Vitriclastic lithofacies from Macquarie Island (Southern Ocean): compositional influence on abyssal eruption explosivity in a dying Miocene spreading ridge

Macquarie Island is composed of a complete section of oceanic crust that formed in a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge 2.0 to 3.5 km below sea level. Vitriclastic facies preserved on the island have both pyroclastic and hyaloclastic characteristics. Monomict hyaloclastic breccia facies are widespread across the island and are predominantly composed of near-primitive (~7.9 wt% MgO) subalkaline/transitional (~0.7 wt% K2O) sideromelane shards and crystalline basalt clasts with low vesicularity (LV, < 15% vesicles). Breccias are thick bedded and structureless with matrix-supported angular pillow fragments, bomb-sized fluidal mini-pillows, and globular glass lapilli. Clasts are lithologically similar to interbedded pillow basalts and laterally grade into fine-grained sandstone facies. These sandstones are normal-graded, well-laminated, thin bedded, and interstratified with red pelagic mudstone. Lithofacies associations indicate that the hyaloclastic breccias were formed proximal to a source vent via quench-fragmentation, and subsequently reworked by ocean-bottom currents into distal epiclastic sandstone facies. During eruption, co-genetic pillow lava and hypabyssal intrusions mingled with the breccia, forming fluidal peperite. Rare polymict pyroclastic facies only occur in the highest stratigraphic levels and are mostly composed of highly vesicular (HV, 15–50% vesicles) sideromelane shards and crystalline basalt clasts with alkaline (~1.0 wt% K2O) fractionated (~6.8% MgO) compositions. Minor lithic grains are composed of subalkaline (~0.7 wt% K2O) to very highly alkaline (~1.7 wt% K2O) LV sideromelane shards, and amphibole-bearing diabase. The pyroclastic facies contains medium to thick beds of lapilli-tuff that exhibit both reverse and normal grading, diffuse lamination, and planar-grain fabric. These beds are locally overlain by thin fine-grained tuff beds entirely composed of cuspate to very thin elongate bubble-wall shards. These characteristics indicate that explosive deep-marine eruptions produced high-density coarse-grained gravity flows that were covered by slower suspension settle-out of delicate bubble-wall shards. Stratigraphic relationships suggest that explosive eruptions started during the waning stages of more alkaline volcanism along the proto-Macquarie spreading center.

Characteristic features of ore gabbro formation in the third layer of the oceanic crust

Peculiarities of ore gabbro formation in slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges exemplified by the non-transform Sierra Leone fault and Marathon fault areas are considered. The formation of ore gabbros is most often connected with the rheologically weakened oceanic lithosphere mainly with active fault zones, in which basic magmatic melts intruded. Those faults provide ways for migration of differentiated melts at different depth levels. When intruding and moving along fault zones, melts interacting with the mantle and crust host rocks are often already hydrated. Such interaction occurs largely in conditions of subsolidus deformations resulting in enrichment of melts with volatile components.

On the occurrence, trace element geochemistry, and crystallization history of zircon from in situ ocean lithosphere

We characterize the textural and geochemical features of ocean crustal zircon recovered from plagiogranite, evolved gabbro, and metamorphosed ultramafic host-rocks collected along present-day slow and ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges (MORs). The geochemistry of 267 zircon grains was measured by sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe-reverse geometry at the USGS-Stanford Ion Microprobe facility. Three types of zircon are recognized based on texture and geochemistry. Most ocean crustal zircons resemble young magmatic zircon from other crustal settings, occurring as pristine, colorless euhedral (Type 1) or subhedral to anhedral (Type 2) grains. In these grains, Hf and most trace elements vary systematically with Ti, typically becoming enriched with falling Ti-in-zircon temperature. Ti-in-zircon temperatures range from 1,040 to 660°C (corrected for a TiO2 ≈ 0.7, a SiO2 ≈ 1.0, pressure ≈ 2 kbar); intra-sample variation is typically ~60–150°C. Decreasing Ti correlates with enrichment in Hf to ~2 wt%, while additional Hf-enrichment occurs at relatively constant temperature. Trends between Ti and U, Y, REE, and Eu/Eu* exhibit a similar inflection, which may denote the onset of eutectic crystallization; the inflection is well-defined by zircons from plagiogranite and implies solidus temperatures of ~680–740°C. A third type of zircon is defined as being porous and colored with chaotic CL zoning, and occurs in ~25% of rock samples studied. These features, along with high measured La, Cl, S, Ca, and Fe, and low (Sm/La)N ratios are suggestive of interaction with aqueous fluids. Non-porous, luminescent CL overgrowth rims on porous grains record uniform temperatures averaging 615 ± 26°C (2SD, n = 7), implying zircon formation below the wet-granite solidus and under water-saturated conditions. Zircon geochemistry reflects, in part, source region; elevated HREE coupled with low U concentrations allow effective discrimination of ~80% of zircon formed at modern MORs from zircon in continental crust. The geochemistry and textural observations reported here serve as an important database for comparison with detrital, xenocrystic, and metamorphosed mafic rock-hosted zircon populations to evaluate provenance.

Assessing the conditions of continental breakup at magma-poor rifted margins: What can we learn from slow spreading mid-ocean ridges?

We propose a review of the tectonic, magmatic and hydrothermal evolution of slow spreading ridges, focusing on concepts which we think are most relevant to discuss the rift to drift transition at magma-poor ocean–continent transitions (OCTs). Based on this review, we emphasize the importance of the thermal regime as a key parameter and we propose that the thermal regime of magma-poor OCTs evolves in the following principal phases: the onset of decompression mantle melting, the onset of localized plate divergence, the installation of a ridge-type thermal regime (active heat balance, no inheritance), which we argue is the most practical definition for continental breakup, and, possibly, the onset of ridge-type, focused mantle upwelling. We propose this phased evolution as a framework in which to develop further research, combining our understanding of rifting and seafloor spreading, in order to better quantify the processes that control continental breakup.

Hydrothermal systems in peridotites of slow-spreading mid-oceanic ridges. Modeling phase transitions and material balance: Downwelling limb of a hydrothermal circulation cell

A model is development for the kinetic and thermodynamic simulation of the interaction of seawater and its metamorphosed derivatives with crustal rocks in slow-spreading ridges. The thermodynamic modulus of the model is based on the GEOCHEQ complex, which makes it possible to simulate equilibria in systems of aqueous solutions-minerals-gases. The calculating code was modified and adjusted for the thermodynamic-kinetic simulation of the passage of irreversible solution-rock reactions with time. The simulations were carried out for a simplified crustal vertical section of slow-spreading (Hess-type) ridges, which consist only of mantle peridotites (spinel harzburgites). The results of our simulations demonstrate that the degree of peridotite serpentinization under the effect of low-temperature seawater when the rocks are exposed at the seafloor surface remains very low even after 10000 years of interaction. Serpentinization becomes efficient only at temperatures of 130–150°C at crustal depths of 3.5–4.5 km. The results of our simulations allowed us to develop a thermodynamic model for the origin of hydrothermal systems in peridotites in slow-spreading ridges, with regard for the major stages in the material and tectonic evolution of the Hess crust.

Evidence for focused magmatic accretion at segment centers from lateral dike injections captured beneath the Red Sea rift in Afar

Continental breakup occurs through repeated episodes of mechanical stretching and dike injection within discrete, narrow rift segments. However, the time and length scales of the dike intrusions, along with the source regions of melt within continental and oceanic rifts, are poorly constrained. We present measurements of spatial and temporal variability in deformation from the currently active 60-km-long Dabbahu segment of the Red Sea rift in Afar, using satellite radar, global positioning system, and seismicity data sets, that capture emplacement of two ~10-km-long, ~1–2-m-wide dike intrusions in June and July 2006. Our observations show that the majority of strain is accommodated by dikes that propagate laterally over ~4–5 h time scales along the rift axis and are sourced from a reservoir in the middle to lower crust, or upper mantle, beneath the center of the rift segment. New intrusions during the ongoing rifting episode in Afar show that the injection of lateral dikes fed from magma reservoirs beneath rift segment centers is a key component in creating and maintaining regular along-axis rift segmentation during the final stages of continental breakup. Our observations also provide evidence that the focused magmatic accretion at segment centers observed in slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges occurs prior to the onset of seafloor spreading.

Microplankton provide 9 Ma age for sediment in the Macquarie Island ophiolite complex

Macquarie Island in the southwest Pacific Ocean (55°S) is unique as an exposed location for studying oceanic crust generated by slow seafloor spreading—regions where rocks are difficult to date using radiometric methods. Bolboforms, an extinct group of poorly known microplankton, in sediment intercalated with pillow lavas yield tight constraints (9.01–8.78 Ma) on the age of formation of the dominantly seafloor volcanic sequence constituting the south of the island. The occurrence of Bolboforma metzmacheri extends the known geographic range of this Late Miocene zonal marker species in the southwest Pacific. A monospecific calcareous nannoplankton flora (Reticulofenestra perplexa) accompanied by the foraminifer Neogloboquadrina pachyderma in sediment from the north part of the island indicates a slightly older age (9.5–9.3 Ma), consistent with a radiometric date (9.2 ± 0.4 Ma) from nearby volcanics. The new age data indicate that the ocean floor volcanic sequence formed early in the Late Miocene, possibly along short segments of a slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge. Bolboforms have potential to provide fine-scale dating in other similarly complex ridge systems that are difficult to date by other means.

The Trinity ophiolite (California): the strange association of fertile mantle peridotite with ultra-depleted crustal cumulates

The Trinity ophiolite (California): the strange association of fertile mantle peridotite with ultra-depleted crustal cumulates

Crustal tomographic imaging of a transitional continental rift: the Ethiopian rift

SUMMARY In this study we image crustal structure beneath a magmatic continental rift to understand the interplay between crustal stretching and magmatism during the late stages of continental rifting: the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). The northern sector of this region marks the transition from continental rifting in the East African Rift to incipient seafloor spreading in the southern Red Sea and western Gulf of Aden. Our local tomographic inversion exploits 172 broad-band instrumentscoveringanareaof250 350kmoftheriftandadjacentplateaux.Theinstruments recordedatotalof2139localearthquakesovera16-monthperiod.Severalsynthetictestsshow that resolution is good between 12 and 25 km depth (below sea level), but some horizontal velocitysmearingisevidentalongtheaxisoftheMainEthiopianRiftbelow16km.Wepresent a 3-D P-wave velocity model of the mid-crust and present the first 3-D Vp/Vs model of the region. Our models show high P-wave velocities (6.5 km s # 1 ) beneath the axis of the rift at a depth of 12‐25 km. The presence of high Vp/Vs ratios (1.81‐1.84) at the same depth range suggest that they are cooled mafic intrusions. The high Vp/Vs values, along with other geophysical evidence, suggest that dyking is pervasive beneath the axis of the rift from the mid-crustal depths to the surface and that some portion of partial melt may exist at lower crustal depths. Although the crustal stretching factor across the Main Ethiopian Rift is $ 1.7, our results indicate that magma intrusion in narrow zones accommodates a large proportion of extensional strain, with similarities to slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge processes.

Hydrothermal circulation at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges: The role of along-axis variations in axial lithospheric thickness

At several ridge segments along the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the lithosphere appears to be cooled by centrally located, isolated hydrothermal fields, hundreds of meters wide, extracting as much as 1000 MW from the lithosphere and hosting very large (>106 m3) sulfide edifices. These fields are possibly fueled by subseafloor hydrothermal cells cooling and leaching the lithosphere up to a few tens of kilometers along axis. However, the detailed mechanisms by which such hydrothermal heat extraction takes place are not well constrained. It is postulated that melt focusing and preferred cooling near transforms result in a thinner lithosphere at the center of slow-spreading ridge segments. In this configuration, and with a depth of penetration controlled by brittle lithospheric thickness, the base of the hydrothermal system is not at constant depth. Here we present models of along-axis hydrothermal circulation showing that pressure gradients generated along this basal slope influence flow dynamics. We show that the size of hydrothermal cells increases with the basal slope α. For α 15°–20°, the circulation reaches steady state and is composed of a single cell with a broad recharge and a focused discharge. Although our models make several simplifying assumptions, we propose that along-axis variations in lithosphere thickness associated with the magmatic and tectonic segmentation of slow-spreading ridges should favor the formation of large and centrally located vent fields, mining heat on several kilometers along axis. We also predict that more short-lived and weaker vent fields may develop away from the segment center.