You are here

Tafu

MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy: 
Max Temperature Category: 
Latitude: 
-15.3833
Longitude: 
-174.2500
Location on map: 
Ocean: 
Region: 
National Jurisdiction: 
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl): 
1400
Tectonic setting: 
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a): 
109.8
Volcano Number (if applicable): 
Host Rock: 
NotProvided
Deposit Type: 
NotProvided
Notes on Vent Field Description: 
Merle et al. (2008): tow NELSC, t08c19, 2008 eruption site N of Maka (S of Tafu); the eruption site, Puipui, (between Maka and Tafu) was observed in 2009 ROV Jason II Dive 415, from cruise report: "aside from the fresh lava flows and volcanic debris, there was no evidence of ... hydrothermal activity along the ridge. A site of diffuse hydrothermal activity was identified prior to the cruise on dive video on loan from Nautilus Minerals... The site was relocated on an older lava flow to the north [of Puipui]"; Resing et al. (2010): "In addition to the eruption on the NELSC, hydrothermal activity was also observed at Maka and Tafu volcanoes, which are south and north of the eruptive area respectively."; Tafu is the shallower, northern summit on this segment, Northeast Lau Spreading Center (NELSC); Global Volcanism Program groups Tafu, Puipui, and Maka all together as one volcano "Tafu-Maka" 243120; Baker et al. 2019: sites 4 and 5 with spreading rates 37 and 36 mm/year respectively in Table 1;
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first): 
2008 or 2009 commercial ROV; 2008 plume only; 2009 ROV Jason II
Discovery References (text): 
Merle, S., et al. (2008) Northeast Lau Basin, R/V Thompson Expedition TN227, November 13-28, 2008, Apia to Apia, Western Samoa. Cruise report. Accessed 8 May 2015, http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/laubasin/documents/tn227-nelau-report-final.pdf;
Resing, J. et al. (2010) Hydrothermal Activity and its Chemical Characteristics in the NE Lau Basin. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #T13B-2187;
Other References (text): 
Merle, S., et al. (2009) Northeast Lau Basin Response Cruise, R/V Thompson Expedition TN234, May 5-13, 2009, Apia to Apia. Cruise report. Accessed 8 May 2015, http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/laubasin/documents/tn234-NELRC-CruiseReport-final.pdf;
Baker ET, Walker SL, Massoth GJ and Resing JA (2019) The NE Lau Basin: Widespread and Abundant Hydrothermal Venting in the Back-Arc Region Behind a Superfast Subduction Zone. Front. Mar. Sci. 6:382. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00382;