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Saguaro Field
Name Alias(es):
31 51'S, EPR
31.8 S, EPR
32 S, EPR
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy:
Vent Sites:
Saguaro
Snow Ghosts
Activity:
Maximum Temperature:
370
Latitude:
-31.8500
Longitude:
-112.0333
Location on map:
Ocean:
Region:
National Jurisdiction:
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl):
2330
Minimum Depth (mbsl):
2235
Tectonic setting:
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a):
194.2
Host Rock:
MORB
Deposit Type:
NotProvided
Notes on Vent Field Description:
Segment E4, EPR; Baker et al. (2002) inferred large vent field from plume characteristics; http://www.mbari.org/expeditions/EasterMicroplate/index.htm; (looks like N Juan Fernandez Microplate in Desbruyeres et al. 2006 text); Lupton et al. (1999): "At 31.8 S, a field of anhydrite chimneys, subsequently named Snow Ghosts, were found to be venting low chlorinity fluids with very high total gas contents ranging up to 90 mM/kg. The unusual character of these fluids indicates the presence of phase separation, possibly due to recent injection of fresh magma into the system."
Notes Relevant to Biology:
Alvin dive 3341 log includes "Anemones, Bacterial mats, Crabs, Mussels, Non-vent fish, Other worms, Sea cucumbers, Sea stars, Shrimp, Snails/Limpets, Sponges, Tube worms, Vent fish"; species listed in Table 1 in Hey et al. (2006)
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
1999 submersible Alvin; 1998 plume only
Discovery References (text):
Lupton, J., et al., Gas chemistry of hydrothermal fluids along the East Pacific Rise, 5°S to 32°S, Eos Trans. AGU, 80(46) Fall Meet. Suppl., F1099, 1999
(plume only) Baker et al., 2002, J. Geophys. Res. 107, Hydrothermal venting along Earth's fastest spreading center: East Pacific Rise, 27.5°-32.3°, doi:10.1029/2001JB000651.
Other References (text):
Hey, R., et al. (2004) Tectonic/volcanic segmentation and controls on hydrothermal venting along the Earth's fastest seafloor spreading system, EPR 27°-32°S, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 5(12): 10.1029/2004GC000764
Hey et al. (2006) Hydrothermal Vent Geology and Biology at Earth’s Fastest Spreading Rates. Marine Geophysical Researches 27:137-153, DOI 10.1007/s11001-005-1887-x.
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