Collaborative Research: Seismic Investigation of the Rainbow Hydrothermal Field and its Tectono/magmatic Setting, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 36 Degrees 14'N

在与板块构造学有关的最令人兴奋和意想不到的发现中，发现了遍布地球的热液喷口。南大洋中脊系统。这些深温泉不仅支持着各种奇异的生命形式，而且它们现在被认为是从地球中提取热量的主要途径。它是海底和海洋之间化学物质交换的主要途径。但是热量是如何提供给这些系统的，以及它们与构造环境的关系，人们仍然知之甚少。该项目将采用3D和2D高分辨率地震层析成像、2D多通道反射和微地震建模相结合的方法，确定大西洋中脊彩虹热液场的岩浆作用、断层作用、基底岩性（岩石类型）和热液循环之间的关系。这种综合方法旨在测试与热液活动及其与地质环境的关系有关的几个假设。更广泛的影响包括对海洋中脊系统的国际研究做出了重大贡献，支持了两个博士论文项目，并为本科生实习生提供了经验。

Among the most exciting and unexpected findings related to plate tectonics was the discovery of the hydrothermal vents that populate the earth?s mid-ocean ridge system. Not only do these deep hot springs support a variety of exotic life forms, they are now known to be a primary means by which heat is extracted from the earth?s interior and to be a primary means of chemical exchange between the seafloor and the oceans. But just how heat is supplied to these systems, and how they relate to the tectonic environment remains poorly understood. This project will employ a combination of 3D and 2D high resolution seismic tomography, 2D multichannel reflection and micro-earthquake modeling define the relationship between magmatism, faulting, substrate lithology (rock types) and hydrothermal circulation at the Rainbow Hydrothermal Field on the Mid Atlantic Ridge. This integrated approach is designed to test several hypotheses related to hydrothermal activity and its relationship to the geological environment. Broader impacts include a substantial contribution to international studies of the mid-ocean ridge system, support for two Ph.D. thesis projects and experience for undergraduate interns.