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Submarine venting of phase-separated hydrothermal fluids at Axial Volcano, Juan de Fuca Ridge

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Abstract

SINCE the discovery of high-temperature venting on the East Pacific Rise in 19791, it has been expected2,3, because of the physical properties of sea water at pressures and temperatures encountered during submarine hydrothermal circulation4,5, that phase-separated fluids would discharge from ridgecrest vents. Although this notion is supported by the reported large deviations in vent-fluid chlorinity relative to that of sea water (–40%−+200%)6,7, by observations of venting at P–T conditions clearly within the two-phase region (220 bar and 420°C)8 and by fluid-inclusion data9,10, unequivocal identification11 of phase-separated venting fluids has remained elusive. Here we report observations of chloride- and metal-depleted, gas-enriched fluids from a shallow vent field on the Juan de Fuca Ridge which confirm the expectation that phase-separated effluents are delivered to the deep ocean from some sea-floor venting systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, Washington, 98115-0070, USA

    G. J. Massoth

  2. Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon, 97365, USA

    G. J. Massoth

  3. School of Oceanography, WB-10, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    D. A. Butterfield, R. E. McDuff & M. D. Lilley

  4. Marine Science Institute and Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, USA

    J. E. Lupton

  5. Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A OE8, Canada

    I. R. Jonasson

Authors
  1. G. J. Massoth
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  2. D. A. Butterfield
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  3. J. E. Lupton
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  4. R. E. McDuff
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  5. M. D. Lilley
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  6. I. R. Jonasson
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Massoth, G., Butterfield, D., Lupton, J. et al. Submarine venting of phase-separated hydrothermal fluids at Axial Volcano, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Nature 340, 702–705 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/340702a0

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