Skip to main content
Log in

Hydrothermal sulfide deposits of the Lucky Strike vent field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

  • Published:
Geochemistry International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several hydrothermal sulfide structures were sampled using Mir manned submersibles in the relatively shallow Lucky Strike vent field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge; the bathymetric position of these structures varies by approximately 100 m. The investigation of the chemical and mineral compositions of hydrothermal ore occurrences led to the conclusion that the initial high-temperature ore-bearing solution ascending toward the surface became unstable and experienced phase separation beneath the ocean floor. The phase separation was responsible for the bathymetric control of hydrothermal ore formation in the ocean.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Yu. A. Bogdanov, Hydrothermal Occurrences in Rifts of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Nauchnyi Mir, Moscow, 1997) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. R. S. Detrick, P. Buhl, J. Mutter, et al., “Multichannel Seismic Imaging of a Crustal Magma Chamber along the East Pacific Rise,” Nature 326, 35–41 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Y. Fouquet, J.-L. Charlou, I. Costa, et al., “A Detailed Study of the Lucky Strike Hydrothermal Site and Discovery of a New Hydrothermal Site: Menez Gwen; Preliminary Results of the DIVA 1 Cruise (5–29 May, 1994),” InterRidge News 3(2), 14–17 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  4. J. L. Charlou, I. P. Donval, E. Douville, et al., “Compared Geochemical Signatures and the Evolution of Menez Gwen (37°50′ S) and Lucky Strike (37°17′ S) Hydrothermal Fields, South of the Azores Triple Junction on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Chem. Geol. 171, 49–75 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. K. L. von Damm, A. M. Bray, L. G. Buttermore, and S. E. Oosting, “The Geochemical Controls on Vent-Fluids from the Lucky Strike Vent Field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 160, 521–536 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  6. C. Langmuir, S. Humphris, D. Fornary, et al., “Hydrothermal Vents at 37° N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 148, 69–91 (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. S. E. Humphris and Lucky Strike Team, “Comparison of Hydrothermal Deposits at Lucky Strike Vent Field with Other Mid-Ocean Ridge Vent Sites,” EOS Trans. AGU 74, 100 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hydrothermal Sulfide Ores and Metalliferous Sediments of the Ocean, Ed. by I. S. Gramberg and A. I. Ainemer (Nedra, St. Petersburg, 1992) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  9. D. Stakes and W. W. Moore, “Evolution of Hydrothermal Activity on the Endeavour-Juan de Fuca Ridges: Observations, Mineral Ages, and Ra Isotope Ratios,” J. Geophys. Res. 97, 21 739–21 752 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Geological Structure and Hydrothermal Rocks of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, Ed. by A. P. Lisitsyn (Nauka, Moscow, 1990) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. P. Lisitsyn, R. A. Binns, Yu. A. Bogdanov, et al., “Modern Hydrothermal Activity of Franklin Seamount, Western Part of the Woodlark Basin, Papua-New Guinea,” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Geol., No. 8, 125–140 (1991).

  12. G. P. Glasby, K. Lizasa, M. Yuasa, and F. Usui, “Submarine Hydrothermal Mineralization on the Izu-Bonin Arc, South of Japan: An Overview,” Mar. Geores. Geotechnol. 18, 141–176 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  13. T. Urabe and M. Kusakabe, “Barite Silica Chimneys from the Sumisu Rift, Izu-Bonin Arc: Possible Analog to Hematitic Chert Associated with Kuroko Deposits,” Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 100, 283–290 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. S. G. Krasnov, “Minimum Depths of Pyrite Ore Formation at the Ocean Floor,” Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 296, 1188–1191 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  15. T. Finlow-Bates and D. E. Large, “Water Depth as Major Control on the Formation of Submarine Exhalative Ore Deposits,” Geol. Jb. D30, 2739 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  16. J. L. Bischoff and R. J. Rosenbauer, “Liquid-Vapor Relation in the Critical Region of the System NaCl-H2O from 380 to 415°C: A Refined Determination of the Critical Point and Two-Phase Boundary of Seawater,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 52, 2121–2126 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. J. L. Bischoff and R. J. Rosenbauer, “Phase Separation in Seafloor Geothermal System: An Experimental Study of the Effects on Metal Transport,” Am. J. Sci. 287, 953–978 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  18. T. Richter, “Sedimentary Fluxes at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Doctoral Dissertation. Geomar. Report 73 (Geomar, Kiel, 1998).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yu. A. Bogdanov, N. S. Bortnikov, and A. P. Lisitsyn, “The Origin of the Hydrothermal Sulfide Ores in the Axial Parts of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Geol. Rudn. Mestorozhd. 39, 409–429 (1997) [Geol. Ore Dep. 39, 351 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Original Russian Text © Yu.A. Bogdanov, A.Yu. Lein, A.M. Sagalevich, A.A. Ul’yanov, S.A. Dorofeev, N.V. Ul’yanova, 2006, published in Geokhimiya, 2006, No. 4, pp. 445–461.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bogdanov, Y.A., Lein, A.Y., Sagalevich, A.M. et al. Hydrothermal sulfide deposits of the Lucky Strike vent field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Geochem. Int. 44, 403–418 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702906040070

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702906040070

Keywords

Navigation