Geological, Geochemical and Mineralogical Active Vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

在缓慢扩张的大西洋中脊上，已知只有两个热液系统——TAG和Snakepit活跃。汤普森去年冬天参加了一个大型潜水项目，前往这两个地点；本奖项授予他和他的同事。汉弗里斯和蒂维用这笔资金来分析和解释从最近的探险和早期的采样项目中收集的样本。目标是：1)详细绘制喷口位置图；2)确定矿化的性质、成因和时间/空间过程；3)利用观测资料和模式比较两个站点的演变；4)确定在超基因改变过程中发生的化学交换；5)估计这些矿床对全球地球化学收支和旋回的意义；6)评价硫化物矿床的经济意义。

Only two hydrothermal systems -- TAG and Snakepit -- are known to be active on the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Dr. Thompson participated on a large diving program to both sites last winter; the present award provides he and his colleagues Drs. Humphris and Tivey with funds to analyze and interpret the samples collected on both this most recent expedition and ones from earlier sampling programs. Objectives are to: 1) map the vent sites in detail; 2) determine the nature, origin and time/space processes of mineralization; 3) compare the evolution of the two sites using both observations and models; 4) determine chemical exchanges that occur during supergene alterations; 5) estimate the significance of these deposits to global geochemical budgets and cycles; and 6) assess the economic significance of the sulfide deposits.