Studying diffuse-flow hydrothermal mounds in an extensional basin on the Blanco Fracture Zone off the Oregon coast.
Description
Chief Scientist: Jim Hein. Geological data (underwatertelevision, core) of field activity C-1-96-WO in Blanco Fracture Zone, Oregon from 08/00/1996 to 09/00/1996
Location
Oregon
Comments
REPORT FROM THE LANEY CHOUEST OVER THE BLANCO FRACTURE ZONE (FROM 8/30/96 WRUSGS BULLETIN) Jim Hein and Michelle Greene are participating in a cruise organized by NOAA under the direction of Bob Embley. We are studying diffuse-flow hydrothermal mounds in an extensional basin on the Blanco Fracture Zone off the Oregon coast. The mounds are composed of gold- and silver-rich bacterial mats that have been replaced by silica and iron oxides. After some delays readying the ATV (Advanced Tethered Vehicle), the system is now transiting the seafloor and is working well, providing excellent video and collecting core samples of a mound with a measured internal temperature of 40 degrees C. It took about 12 hours of ATV search to locate the mound that was first seen on our USGS video camera sled in 1994. Additional ATV and Sea Cliff submersible dives will follow during the next week. Seas are calm and the wind is a mere breeze.
Staff information imported from InfoBank
Jim Hein (USGS Western Region) - Chief Scientist
