Scientists discover three new hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Scientists have discovered three new hydrothermal vent fields over a 434-mile-long stretch of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the first scientific expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's recently launched research vessel ...
The multidisciplinary science team representing 11 institutions from the United States, Canada, and France used advanced ocean technologies to make the discovery. Scientists used autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles resulting in 65 square miles (170 square kilometers) of seafloor mapped at one-meter scale resolution, an area approximately the size of Manhattan Island.
The discovery of the active hydrothermal vents is the first on this section of the world's longest underwater mountain range, the mid-Atlantic Ridge, in more than 40 years. One of the discovered vent fields was located at the Puy des Folles volcano and has five active sites over 6.95 square miles (18 square kilometers). High-temperature "black smoker" vents were also found at the Grappe Deux vent system and Kane Fracture Zone.
"This cruise exceeded expectations with the discovery of so many amazing hydrothermal vents vibrant with life," said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of Schmidt Ocean Institute. "We are delighted with the new capability that Falkor (too) brings to the ocean science community, including the ability to put multiple different types of technology in the water simultaneously. The dedication of the scientists and crew, along with the capabilities of the ship, was evident in the success of this expedition and we look forward to more."
The Mid-Atlantic ridge is a target area for deep-sea mining and exists in international waters, also known as "The High Seas." All mineral-resources-related activities in the area are regulated by the International Seabed Authority, established by the United Nations. The ISA is currently considering whether to allow deep sea mining.
This high-temperature hydrothermal vent field was discovered during the expedition on Puy des Folles Seamount in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, at approximately 2,000 meters deep. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
A mapping Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is recovered to the Research Vessel Falkor (too) over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The AUV was equipped with multiple sensors to produce 1-meter-scale seafloor bathymetry maps and detect plume signals that indicate possible source areas for hydrothermal vents. The bathymetry and overlaid plume signals provided researchers with an indication of where the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive could start. This strategy proved to be extremely successful, as the team discovered several new hydrothermal vent fields during the expedition. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
This high-temperature hydrothermal vent field was discovered during the expedition in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Within hydrothermal vents, seawater chemically altered through water-rock interactions at high temperatures is expelled through geological formations called chimneys. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute