Two New Hydrothermal Fields at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Cherkashov, G.1; Bel'tenev, V.2; Ivanov, V.2; Lazareva, L.2; Samovarov, M.2; Shilov, V.2; Stepanova, T.1; Glasby, G. P.1; Kuznetsov, V.3
Source: Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, Volume 26, Number 4, October 2008 , pp. 308-316(9)
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
Abstract:
Two new major hydrothermal fields have been discovered in the rift valley of the MAR at 13°N (Ashadze) and l6°38'N (Krasnov). The Ashadze field consists of a cluster of active hydrothermal sites associated with ultramafic rocks and located at the greatest depth in the ocean (4,200 m). By contrast, the Krasnov field consists of inactive sulfide mounds hosted in basalts. The Krasnov is the largest hydrothermal deposit on the MAR (17.4 Mt) so far discovered with iron sulfide as the principal mineral type. By contrast, Cu-Zn sulfides are the major minerals in the Ashadze deposits, which are also enriched in gold and several other metals.Keywords: hydrothermal deposits; massive sulfides; mid-Atlantic Ridge
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/10641190802400708
Affiliations: 1: VNIIOkeangeologia, 1 Angliysky Pr., St. Petersburg, Russia 2: Polar Marine Geosurvey Expedition, Lomonosov, Russia 3: St.Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia

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