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Tahi Moana 7

Name Alias(es): 
North East Lau 5 Target
NEL5
MGDS_FeatureID lowest in hierarchy: 
Activity: 
Latitude: 
-15.3300
Longitude: 
-174.2500
Location on map: 
Ocean: 
Region: 
National Jurisdiction: 
Maximum or Single Reported Depth (mbsl): 
1940
Minimum Depth (mbsl): 
1880
Tectonic setting: 
Full Spreading Rate (mm/a): 
109.8
Volcano Number (if applicable): 
Host Rock: 
NotProvided
Deposit Type: 
PMS
Notes on Vent Field Description: 
video camera tow following up the water column anomaly identified on the NEL5a survey line, defined an approximately 150 m long traverse containing features interpreted as sulphide outcrops, and other indicators associated with hydrothermal activity, Chief Sci R. Arculus; Crowhurst et al. (2009): "Sulfides were recovered from ... a new discovery on the NE Lau spreading centre (NELSC), ~14 km north of the commercial discovery by Teck and ~7km north of the eruption site discovery during a RV Thompson NOAA survey, both during 2008."; Merle et al. (2008): tow NELSC, t08c11; Baker et al. 2019: site 3 with spreading rate 38 mm/year in Table 1; SRK report (2011): "One camera tow was conducted over Tahi Moana 7 which delineated a several hundred metre extent of chimney field. Also viewed were biota, alteration indicators and pillow basalts. A dredge of the seafloor recovered basalts and massive sulphides.";
Notes Relevant to Biology: 
NotProvided
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first): 
2004 plume only; 2008 plume only; 2009 video camera tow (activity not confirmed)
Discovery References (text): 
(plume only - associated with Maka) German, C. et al. (2006) Hydrothermal exploration of the Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center and the Northeast Lau Spreading Center. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 7, 2006GC001324
Crowhurst et al. (2009) Discovery of new hydrothermal venting sites in the Lau Basin, Tonga Back-Arc. AGU Fall Meeting abstract #OS13A-1180.
Other References (text): 
Merle, S., et al. (2008) Northeast Lau Basin, R/V Thompson Expedition TN227, November 13-28, 2008, Apia to Apia, Western Samoa. Cruise report. Accessed 8 May 2015, http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/laubasin/documents/tn227-nelau-report-final.pdf.
Nautilus Minerals press release, 27 May 2009, accessed 4 June 2015: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Nautilus-Minerals-Inc-TSX-NUS-995322.html.
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.
Baker ET, Walker SL, Massoth GJ and Resing JA (2019) The NE Lau Basin: Widespread and Abundant Hydrothermal Venting in the Back-Arc Region Behind a Superfast Subduction Zone. Front. Mar. Sci. 6:382. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00382;