The East Pacific Rise between 9°N and 10°N: Twenty-five years of integrated, multidisciplinary oceanic spreading center studies

Daniel J. Fornari, Karen L. Von Damm, Julia G. Bryce, James P. Cowen, Vicki Ferrini, Allison Fundis, Marvin D. Lilley, George W. Luther, Lauren S. Mullineaux, Michael R. Perfit, M. Florencia Meana-Prado, Kenneth H. Rubin, William E. Seyfried, Timothy M. Shank, S. Adam Soule, Maya Tolstoy, Scott M. White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

The East Pacific Rise from ∼ 9-10°N is an archetype for a fastspreading mid-ocean ridge. In particular, the segment near 9°50'N has been the focus of multidisciplinary research for over two decades, making it one of the best-studied areas of the global ridge system. It is also one of only two sites along the global ridge where two historical volcanic eruptions have been observed. This volcanically active segment has thus offered unparalleled opportunities to investigate a range of complex interactions among magmatic, volcanic, hydrothermal, and biological processes associated with crustal accretion over a full magmatic cycle. At this 9°50'N site, comprehensive physical oceanographic measurements and modeling have also shed light on linkages between hydrodynamic transport of larvae and other materials and biological dynamics influenced by magmatic processes. Integrated results of highresolution mapping, and both in situ and laboratory-based geophysical, oceanographic, geochemical, and biological observations and sampling, reveal how magmatic events perturb the hydrothermal system and the biological communities it hosts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18-43
Number of pages26
JournalOceanography
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

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