Heat flow within Raven Hydrothermal Field of the Juan de Fuca Ridge

What is it about?

We conducted a systematic heat flow survey using thermal blankets deployed by Remotely Operated Vehicle Jason II within the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge axial valley to provide quantitative estimates of the magnitude and distribution of conductive heat flow at a mid-ocean ridge. The primary goal of the experiment was testing current models of hydrothermal circulation that are present within newly formed oceanic crust. Data from the heat flow study identified evidence for vigorous hydrothermal circulation is present within the upper portion of the volcanic seafloor. Patterns of thermally driven fluid circulation within the sub-seafloor deeper crust include both rift valley wall-to-wall circulation beneath the axial valley floor, and secondary small isolated circulation cells present entirely within shallow Layer 2A.

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Why is it important?

One paper of a comprehensive set of experiments to determine the patterns of fluid circulation beneath very young oceanic crust.