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Mussel Valley
Name Alias(es):
Station 14, 1987 megaplume
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
Max Temperature Category:
Latitude:
-18.8167
Longitude:
173.4833
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
2700
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
75.8
Host Rock:
NotProvided
Deposit Type:
NotProvided
Notes on Vent Field Description:
on Central Spreading Ridge; flat volcanic dome; active site framed by collapsed lava lakes with pillars; low temperature vents; megaplume observed in 1987, mussel beds, no hydrothermal minerals, water column methane and Mn anomalies
Notes Relevant to Biology:
mussels, holothurians, tubeworms, lacks the two gastropod species at White Lady
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
1989 submersible Nautile; 1987 plume; 1988 towed camera did not confirm activity
Discovery References (text):
(Plume only) Nojiri, Y., Ishibashi, J., Kawai, T., Otsuki, A. and Sakai, H., 1989. Hydrothermal plumes along the North-Fiji Basin spreading axis. Nature, 342(6250): 667-670
J-M Auzende et al. (1991) In situ geological and geochemical study of an active hydrothermal site on the North Fiji Basin ridge. Marine Geol. 98: 259-269.
Other References (text):
Desbruyeres, D. et al. (1994) Deep-sea hydrothermal communities in Southwestern Pacific back-arc basins (the North Fiji and Lau Basins): Composition, microdistribution and food web. Marine Geology 116: 227-242
Tanahashi et al. (1994) 800-km-long N-S spreading system of the North Fiji Basin. Marine Geol. 116: 5-24
Gracia et al. (1994) Multi-scale morphologic variability of the North Fiji Basin ridge-(Southwest Pacific). Mar. Geol. 116: 133-151.
RDF link: