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NWLSC, Central Caldera
Name Alias(es):
Northwest Lau Spreading Center
northern caldera, NWLSC
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Activity:
Latitude:
-15.8000
Longitude:
-177.2666
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
2200
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
75.4
Host Rock:
NotProvided
Deposit Type:
NotProvided
Notes on Vent Field Description:
NWLSC surveyed on cruise SS07-2008 NoLauVE cruise, cruise report (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/datacentre/process/data_files/cruise_docs/SS200807sum.pdf): "The Northwest Lau Spreading Centre (NWLSC) forms an asymmetric, inflated ridge terminated by right-lateral transcurrent faulting at both northern and southern terminations, with two large calderas... astride the Ridge. The northern caldera is hydrothermally active.", "hydrocast (NLH-28)... encountered a major structured transmission anomaly extending over ~300m depth range between 1790 and 2190m"; Lupton et al. (2012): "Four hydrocasts within Central Caldera exhibited strong signals in both %T and excess 3He", "we conclude that there is likely high temperature venting somewhere within the Central Caldera"
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
2008 plume and dredge only
Discovery References (text):
Arculus et al. (2008) cruise report (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/datacentre/process/data_files/cruise_docs/SS200807sum.pdf).
Lupton, J. E., R. J. Arculus, J. Resing, G. J. Massoth, R. R. Greene, L. J. Evans, and N. Buck (2012), Hydrothermal activity in the Northwest Lau Backarc Basin: Evidence from water column measurements, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 13, Q0AF04, doi:10.1029/2011GC003891.
Other References (text):
Lupton et al. (2009) Hydrothermal systems and recent eruptive activity in the northern Lau Basin, South Pacific Ocean. Abstract Goldschmidt Conference 2009.
RDF link: