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Menez Gwen
Name Alias(es):
Rifted Mountain
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
D9
F11
F12
Homem em Pe
PP10
PP11
PP30
PP31
PP32
PP33
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
281
Latitude:
37.8417
Longitude:
-31.5250
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
865
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
840
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
19.9
Host Rock:
E-MORB
Deposit Type:
PMS, polymetallic massive sulfides
Notes on Vent Field Description:
situated in axial graben of young volcano, axial seamount (volcano), hotspot influence; chimneys typically small, white anhydrite; 265-281 deg C, 4.2-4.8 pH, <2 mmol/kg H2S; in MOMAR area, which is designated for long-term monitoring efforts; reported in 2007 as MPA in OSPAR Network
Notes Relevant to Biology:
mytilid mussels, gastropods, shrimp; from OSPAR MPA document: "The most prominent feature of this vent field is the presence of bathyal fauna (fishes, cephalopods and crabs) making incursions to the vent field area…"
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
1994 submersible Nautile
Discovery References (text):
Y Fouquet et al., InterRidge News 3(2), 1994, A detailed study of the Lucky Strike Hydrothermal Site and discovery of a new hydrothermal site: Menez Gwen
preliminary results of the DIVA1 Cruise (5-29 May, 1994), p. 14-17
[Fouquet et al., 1995, Nature, 377, 201, Atlantic lava lakes and hot vents]
(plume only) Chin et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 162, 1-13, 1998, Detection of hydrothermal plumes on the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge: results from optical measurements.
Other References (text):
Ondreas, H et al., Detailed Study of Three Contiguous Segments of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, South of the Azores (37° N to 38°30′ N), Using Acoustic Imaging Coupled with Submersible Observations, Mar. Geophys. Res., 19, 231-255, 1997
JL Charlou et al. (2000) Compared geochemical signatures and the evolution of Menez Gwen (37°50′N) and Lucky Strike (37°17′N) hydrothermal fluids, south of the Azores Triple Junction on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Chem Geol 171: 49-75.
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