Premium
Detailed morphology of the TAG Active Hydrothermal Mound: Insights into its formation and growth
Author(s) -
Humphris Susan E.,
Kleinrock Martin C.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/96gl03079
Subject(s) - hydrothermal circulation , geology , ridge , bathymetry , morphology (biology) , hydrogeology , high resolution , mineralogy , oceanography , paleontology , remote sensing , geotechnical engineering
The detailed structure and morphology of the TAG active hydrothermal mound (Mid‐Atlantic Ridge) are investigated using near‐bottom, high‐resolution bathymetry data and digital photographic imagery. The mound comprises two distinct circular platforms with one superposed asymmetrically on the other. Areas of hydrothermal discharge and a surface depression are identified that have not been previously described indicating that the hydrogeology of the system is modified on very short time scales (years). We propose a model for the growth of the TAG active mound in which changes in the near‐surface permeability of the mound caused by both fissuring and mineral precipitation result in the development of a structure with a surface morphology consistent with that observed.