Notes on Vent Field Description:
Nautilus Minerals press release, January 14, 2010: "Solwara 17 occurs within the older Willaumez Spreading Centre approximately 60km NE of Solwara 11."; Massoth et al. (2008) AGU Abstract: "During June 2008 we conducted a systematic reconnaissance for hydrothermal venting along 1540 km of back-arc features located throughout the Manus back-arc basin. Using real-time plume mapping protocols to discern anomalies in light scattering, temperature, and oxidation-reduction potential, we detected ~45 venting sites, ~34 of which are believed new. Subsequent seafloor reconnaissance by ROV has located massive sulfides coincident to several plumes."; SRK report (2011): "hot water venting was observed"
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
2009 commercial ROV Fugro FV300; 2008 plumes with some sites subsequently observed with ROV
Discovery References (text):
Nautilus Minerals press release, January 14, 2010.
(plumes and unspecified sites observed with ROV): Massoth, G. et al. (2008) Regional Venting in the Manus Basin, New Britain Back Arc. AGU Fall Meeting Abstract V41B-2074.
Other References (text):
SRK Consulting (2011) Nautilus Minerals Incorporated NI43-101 Technical Report 2010 PNG, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Vanuatu and the ISA. Document Reference: NAT007 Nautilus 43-101 Technical Report 2011 Rev3.docx.