Diverse styles of submarine venting on the ultraslow spreading Mid-Cayman Rise

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1009205107
• Publication Date: 2010-07-22T03:15:19Z
• Authors: C. R. German; A. Bowen; M. L. Coleman; D. L. Honig; J. A. Huber; M. V. Jakuba; J. C. Kinsey; M. D. Kurz; S. Leroy; J. M. McDermott; B. Mercier de Lép...; K. Nakamura; J. S. Seewald; J. L. Smith; S. P. Sylva; C. L. Van Dover; L. L. Whitcomb; D. R. Yoerger
• Keywords: Abiogenesis; Ultramafic rock

Thirty years after the first discovery of high-temperature submarine venting, vast majority global mid-ocean ridge remains unexplored for hydrothermal activity. Of particular interest are world's ultraslow spreading ridges that were last to be demonstrated host venting but may systems particularly relevant prebiotic chemistry and origins life. Here we report evidence previously unknown, diverse, very deep vents along approximately 110 km long, Mid-Cayman Rise (MCR). Our data indicate MCR hosts at least three discrete sites, each representing a different type water-rock interaction, including both mafic ultramafic and, 5,000 m, deepest known vent. Although circulation, in which seawater percolates through reacts with lithologies, occurs on all ridges, diversity vent types identified here their relative geographic isolation make unique oceans. These new sites offer prospects an expanded range vent-fluid compositions, varieties abiotic organic chemical synthesis extremophile microorganisms, unparalleled faunal biodiversity--all close proximity.