You are here
North Cleft, high temperature
Name Alias(es):
northern Cleft segment
northern Rift A
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
Monolith
Aquarius
Cavern
Fountain
Pipe Organ
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
332
Latitude:
44.9800
Longitude:
-130.2000
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
2300
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
2250
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
55.9
Volcano Number (if applicable):
Host Rock:
MORB
Deposit Type:
PMS, polymetallic massive sulfides
Notes on Vent Field Description:
small vent fields with active sulfide deposits and low-temperature Fe oxide and silica chimneys; [first documented eruption on MOR] basaltic fissure eruption between 1983 and 1987, 1986 and 1987 megaplume; http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/cleft_site.html; separated from low-temperature vents to south by a gap in venting from 44 54.5'N to 44 56.5'N; low-temperature vents associated with this field extend to at least 45 03'N; Baker and Hammond (1992): "The absence of temperature elevations in Crane et al.'s [1985] 1982 and 1983 data from the northern end of Cleft suggests that the 1986 megaplume may have substantially rejuvenated this vent field"; note Ed Baker separates Pipe Organ from the other sites into its own vent field listing
Notes Relevant to Biology:
NotProvided
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
1987 camera/CTD tows discovered low-temperature vents; 1988 submersible Alvin sampled low-temperature vents; 1990 submersible Alvin discovered black smoker
Discovery References (text):
Embley et al., Geology, 19, 771-775, 1991, Geology of the northern Cleft segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge: Recent lava flows, sea-floor spreading, and the formation of megaplumes.
Other References (text):
(plume only) Baker and Hammond (1992) Hydrothermal Venting and the Apparent Magmatic Budget of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. J. Geophys. Res. 97(B3): 3443-3456
Butterfield and Massoth, J. Geophys. Res. 99, 4951-4968, 1994, Geochemistry of north Cleft segment vent fluids: Temporal changes in chlorinity and their possible relation to recent volcanism
Koski, R.A. et al. (1994) Compositions, growth mechanisms, and temporal relations of hydrothermal sulfide-sulfate-silica chimneys at the northern Cleft segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. JGR 99(B3): 4813-4832.
RDF link: