Notes on Vent Field Description:
located at Patgon-Masala Seamount, southern Mariana Arc; Harue et al. (2001) and Gamo et al. (2004) suggest this is arc-volcano type not back-arc type like Alice Springs; seamount is 5 miles SE of spreading axis; caldera elliptical with major axis 7 miles; caldera rim at 2300m depth; hydrothermal field at NE crater of caldera
Notes Relevant to Biology:
tubeworms, shrimp, galatheid crabs, small bivalves and gastropods (but did not observe large hairy gastropods)
Year and How Discovered (if active, visual confirmation is listed first):
2000 deep-tow camera (later, same year - ROV Kaiko); 1998 or earlier hydrothermal deposits dredged; 1998 plume only
Discovery References (text):
Mitsuzawa et al. (2000) Preliminary report of Deep-Tow/Yokosuka Cruise at hydrothermal areas in the Mid and Southern Mariana. JAMSTEC Journal of Deep Sea Research 17: 73-87 (in Japanese with English abstract)
Masuda, H et al (2001) Bathymetry and hydrothermal activities in the southern Mariana Trough. Reconnaissance results of YK-99-11. JAMSTEC Journal of Deep Sea Research 18: 83-88 (in Japanese with English abstract)
Gamo, T et al (2004) Discovery of a new hydrothermal venting site in the southernmost Mariana Arc: Al-rich hydrothermal plumes and white smoker activity associated with biogenic methane. Geochem Journal 38: 527-534.
Other References (text):
[Hein et al., in Geology and Resource Potential of the Continental Margin of Western North America and Adjacent Ocean Basins, 753-771, 1987]
Fryer et al. (2009) Patgon-Masala Seamount, Southern Mariana Arc: Recent Observations with the WHOI Nereus HROV. AGU Fall Meeting ID# V44B-08.