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Medusa
Name Alias(es):
9 N, OSC, EPR
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
335
Latitude:
9.1404
Longitude:
-104.2065
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
2580
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
105.2
Host Rock:
MORB
Deposit Type:
NotProvided
Notes on Vent Field Description:
position extracted from AT15-17 Virtual Van - event #11499; 2007 maximum observed temperature 335C; site named after unique pink form of the jellyfish order stauromedusae; Baker et al. (1994): "A conventional camera sled survey of the 9°N OSC found no hydrothermal activity", "By contrast, the plume studies clearly reveal ... a weak plume over the western limb of the OSC"; NSF press release: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=108741
Notes Relevant to Biology:
Klein et al. (2007): "We discovered one high-temperature hydrothermal vent (named "Medusa Vent" to highlight the presence of unusual pink Stauromedusae) and an associated diffuse- flow hydrothermal field (biologic samples included riftia, tevnia, alvinella)."
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
2007 ROV Jason II; 1991 plume only
Discovery References (text):
Klein, E. et al. (2007) Detailed investigation of the overlapping spreading center and 9 degrees north on the East Pacific Rise: overview of the Medusa 2007 cruise activities. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007, abstract #T32B-03
(plume only) Baker et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 128, 1-17, 1994, Hydrothermal plumes along the East Pacific Rise, 8°40′ to 11°50′N: Plume distribution and relationship to the apparent magmatic budget, doi:10.1016/0012-821X(94)90022-1.
Other References (text):
RDF link: