Collaborative proposal: Integrated Hydrothermal and Petrological Studies of the Eastern Lau Spreading Center

位于Lau盆地的Eastern Lau扩张中心被Ridge 2000计划选为一个综合研究地点，以了解从地幔到微生物的弧后扩张中心。 这个扩张中心在俯冲影响中具有连续的梯度，这是弧后盆地玄武岩的特征，扩张速率几乎是2倍。 热液发现是该项目后勤计划背后的驱动力。 前两次前往扩散中心的航行将提供测深和侧扫数据。 该项目将使用ECOABE对六个目标区域进行调查，以确定穿越中性浮力羽流的深度处的水柱特性。 ABE在海底以上50米的高度潜水，将获得高分辨率的水深测量和水柱测量。 ABE在5- 10米的高度潜水，然后将提供所发现的喷口地点的完整照片。

The Eastern Lau Spreading Center in the Lau Basin has been chosen an an integrated studies site by the Ridge 2000 program to understand a back-arc spreading center from mantle to microbe. This spreading center has a continuous gradient in the subduction influence that is characteristic of back-arc basin basalts, and the spreading rate changes by nearly a factor of two. Hydrothermal discovery is the driving force behind the logistic plan of this project. Two previous cruises to the spreading center will provide bathymetry and side-scan data. This project will use the ROV ABE to survey six target regions for water column properties at depths that traverse the neutrally buoyant plume. ABE dives at a height above bottom of 50m will obtain high-resolution bathymetry as well as water column measurements. ABE dives at a height of 5-10m will then provide complete photo coverage of the discovered vent sites.