Structure and evolution of Axial Volcanic Ridges: Constraining the architecture, chronology and evolution of ocean ridge magmatism
Lead Research Organisation:
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Department Name: Science and Technology
Abstract
Mid-ocean ridges (MORs) are the loci of the most voluminous volcanism on our planet, the products of which have generated 60% of the Earth's surface crust. Unlike its sub-aerial counterpart, MOR volcanism is hidden from view beneath several kilometres of water, leaving the processes largely unknown. For many MORs, this volcanism forms axial volcanic ridges (AVRs), a few kilometres wide and tens of kilometres long, which appear episodic or cyclic in their evolution. Although the processes that generate AVRs, their episodicity, effusion rates and links to melt extraction from the Earth's mantle are the focus of much speculation, little is actually known in sufficient detail to unravel their evolution. This is largely because we have not had the tools capable of studying volcanic architecture, sampling volcanic stratigraphy or determining age relationships between erupted units at the fine scale required. In recent years a new generation of submersible instruments has been developed that now allow us to image to sub-metre resolutions and to collect samples to similar precision, and hence to address AVR genesis directly. Recent developments in dating techniques, coupled with improvements in the precision of geochemical analyses, are now providing the means to test many of the models describing MOR volcanism. Here, we propose a detailed study using the high-resolution tools now available to unravel the complex processes of MOR volcanism. We will use measurements of the variation of the Earth's magnetic field strength, variations in sediment accumulation, and radiomentric dating (including newly-developed uranium series dating) of young basalts, to estimate precise ages. The complexity of the study requires collaboration across different laboratories and between different continents. By pooling our resources in this international programme, our study will yield new insights into the time scales, eruption rates, lava volumes and interaction between the volcanoes and their underlying mantle source. These insights are essential if we are to understand this key component of the Earth System / and hence its relationship to Earth evolution as a whole.
People |
ORCID iD |
Bramley Murton (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Webb S
(2014)
Rheology and the Fe3+-chlorine reaction in basaltic melts
in Chemical Geology
Morris K
(2012)
Lower bathyal and abyssal distribution of coral in the axial volcanic ridge of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 45°N
in Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
Murton B
(2015)
Carlsberg Ridge and Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Comparison of slow spreading centre analogues
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Josso P
(2021)
Geochemical evidence of Milankovitch cycles in Atlantic Ocean ferromanganese crusts
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Searle R
(2010)
Structure and development of an axial volcanic ridge: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 45°N
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Wilson S
(2013)
Mantle composition controls the development of an Oceanic Core Complex
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Wheeler A
(2013)
Moytirra: Discovery of the first known deep-sea hydrothermal vent field on the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge north of the Azores
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Zeng Z
(2020)
Dispersion and Intersection of Hydrothermal Plumes in the Manus Back-Arc Basin, Western Pacific
in Geofluids
Yeo I
(2011)
Eruptive hummocks: Building blocks of the upper ocean crust
in Geology
Milinovic J
(2020)
Analysis of deep-ocean sediments from the TAG hydrothermal field (MAR, 26° N): application of short-wave infrared reflectance (SWIR) spectra for offshore geochemical exploration
in Journal of Soils and Sediments
Van Dover C
(2020)
Research is needed to inform environmental management of hydrothermally inactive and extinct polymetallic sulfide (PMS) deposits
in Marine Policy
Bergo NM
(2021)
Microbial Diversity of Deep-Sea Ferromanganese Crust Field in the Rio Grande Rise, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
in Microbial ecology
Josso P
(2020)
Development of a Correlated Fe-Mn Crust Stratigraphy Using Pb and Nd Isotopes and Its Application to Paleoceanographic Reconstruction in the Atlantic
in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology
Giljan G
(2020)
Bacterioplankton reveal years-long retention of Atlantic deep-ocean water by the Tropic Seamount.
in Scientific reports
Description | We have discovered a process of semi-continuous volcanic activity forms slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. This has implications for the thermal and chemical evolution of the Earth, as well as energy and mineral resources formed at mid-ocean ridges. |
Exploitation Route | Help understand the volcanic processes forming 73% of the Earth's solid crust. Help evaluate mineral reource and energy resource potential of oceanic crust. Help assess influence of oceanic crust on ocean chemistry and the evolution of life on Earth. |
Sectors | Chemicals Energy Environment |
Description | Blue Mining: Breakthrough Solutions for the Sustainable Exploration and Extraction of Deep Sea Mineral Resources. |
Amount | € 15,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | project, n° 604500. |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 02/2014 |
End | 01/2018 |
Description | Tectonic Oceanic Spreading (TOSCA) |
Organisation | University College Dublin |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have collaborated in conceiving the original concept of the proposal and provided interpretation of the initial data. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners have acquired Irish research vessel time and access to their Irish research ROV over a 4 week-long cruise for May-June 2018. |
Impact | Geology and geophysics.No outcomes as yet |
Start Year | 2016 |