Toward an Integrated Mathematical Model of Seafloor Hydro- thermal Systems Involving Fracture Mechanics,Chemistry, and the Evolution of Crustal Permeability

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Our understanding of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems is based on a few measurements of temperatures of the water and compositions of the fluids. The value of these measurements can be extended by simulating the hydrothermal process with computer models that are based on the physics of fluid transport and heat transfer. The PIs have developed computer models for this purpose and wish to extend them to include the effects of crack formation. These models will attempt to duplicate changes in temperature and fluid chemistry that have been observed. In particular they will try to match chemical and temperature measurements at the TAG hydrothermal field with their computer models of the structure and water flow in the mound.