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SuSu Knolls
Name Alias(es):
Susu Knolls
Solwara 1
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
North Su
South Su
Suzette (= Solwara 1)
Solwara 5
Solwara 9a
Solwara 9b
Sulfur Candles (at North Su)
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
332
Latitude:
-3.8000
Longitude:
152.1000
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
1520
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
1190
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
145.3
Host Rock:
BABB, MORB, med-K andesite, dacite
Deposit Type:
PMS
Notes on Vent Field Description:
R/V Melville Magellan Leg 6 (MGLN06) 2006 cruise report: "SuSu Knolls and the adjacent Suzette mound (Solwara-1 of Nautilus Minerals) were mapped in detail and sampled intensively. Hydrothermal activity at SuSu Knolls showed a remarkable range from boiling black smokers to white sulfur-rich fluids, native sulfur flows and massive anhydrite outcrops."; Nautilus Minerals Mining Lease Application (MLA154) for Solwara 1 includes Solwara 1 (= Suzette), 5, 9a, and 9b, and North Su and South Su; Solwara 1 originally planned to be mined in 2010, now planned for 2013 (see Nautilus Minerals website: http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Projects-Solwara.asp); Bach et al. (2012) report on North Su, including Sulfur Candles site newly discovered in 2011, and "In the westernmost extension of the black smoker clusters, a vent at 1190 m water depth was found, which shows flashing typical of fluid boiling. The temperatures measured (332°C max.) correspond to the boiling temperature of seawater at 124 bar."; 50 km east of PACMANUS; 1993 Tumai Ridge plume
Notes Relevant to Biology:
NotProvided
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
1996 towed camera/video; 1993 plume only
Discovery References (text):
PACMANUS III cruise summary (http://www.marine.csiro.au/datacentre/process/data_files/cruise_docs/fr199610sum.pdf)
[Binns, R.A., et al. (1997) The SuSu Knolls hydrothermal field, eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. Eos, 78: F772].
Other References (text):
Moss and Scott (2001) GEOCHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF GOLD-RICH HYDROTHERMAL PRECIPITATES FROM THE EASTERN MANUS BASIN, PAPUA NEW GUINEA. The Canadian Mineralogist 39: 957-978, DOI: 10.2113/gscanmin.39.4.957
R/V Melville Magellan Leg 6 (MGLN06) 2006 cruise report. Available online from MGDS: http://www.marine-geo.org/tools/search/entry.php?id=MGLN06MV
Hrischeva et al. (2007) Metalliferous Sediments Associated with Presently Forming Volcanogenic Massive Sulfides: The SuSu Knolls Hydrothermal Field, Eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. Economic Geology 102: 55-73, DOI: 10.2113/gsecongeo.102.1.55.
Bach, W., et al. (2012) Interactions between fluids, minerals, and organisms in sulfur-dominated hydrothermal vents in the eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea – A report from RV Sonne Cruise 216. InterRidge News 21: 31-34.
RDF link: