Supporting U.S. Investigators:
study site for hotspot-influenced spreading centers. Whereas previous RIDGE efforts have focused on spreading rate as the primary variable, the Iceland-MAR system offers an opportunity to examine how mantle temperature and source compositions influence processes in the mantle and crust, and how such...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.492.4077 http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/users/menke/RIDGE_Iceland.pdf |
| Summary: | study site for hotspot-influenced spreading centers. Whereas previous RIDGE efforts have focused on spreading rate as the primary variable, the Iceland-MAR system offers an opportunity to examine how mantle temperature and source compositions influence processes in the mantle and crust, and how such processes influence and are affected by hydrothermal venting and biological communities along mid-ocean ridges. Because of the vastly different intrinsic length scales of processes from mantle to microbes at hotspot-influenced spreading centers, the comprehensive investigations outlined in the RIDGE Integrated Studies Program will have to be carried out in nested study areas, where regions of small-scale processes (e.g., vent) are encompassed by the study areas of large-scale processes (e.g., mantle flow). We envision that integrated studies in this area will first involve a characterization of long-wavelength variations in physical structure, chemistry, hydrothermal venting, and biological communities over the region of plume influence (~MAR 57º-71.5ºN). This characterization will fill in the gaps of an already extensive database. It will then be followed by studies focused on the linkages between the crust, hydrothermal circulation, and biological communities at an active volcanic and hydrothermal area (such as the Steinahóll vent site on the Reykjanes Ridge 63º06’N) to examine |
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