Motivations

Fundamentally, we seek to understand the nature of hydrothermal vent systems at spreading centers!

The magnitude and distribution of energy governs ridge crest phenomena. The energy, primarily heat:

• constrains (at steady state) the nature of the energy source -- cracking front, magma chamber?
  
• induces a particular type of circulation -- spacing of cells, depth of penetration?
  
• causes reactions -- water-rock chemistry, biological niches?
  

Why study plumes? The inverse problem.

• Plumes provide a means of locating new vent systems (of various types!)
  
• Plumes integrate the thermal and chemical ouput from vent systems

Questions that have led me here:

• What, if any, are the possible surface expressions of vent system activity? (Steric height? Ocean color? Thermal signature?)
  
• How do hydrothermal vent systems influence and interact with other Earth systems? (Thermal budget and ocean circulation? Event plumes? ENSO? Geochemical balance? Surface productivity? Sub-surface biosphere? Genesis of oceanic lithosphere?)

Specific to the UW MORP group and this presentation:

Observation of plume characteristics, evolution, and dynamics

Areal Mapping to establish regional hydrographic context for MZ studies

Integrated (and field-specific??) heat flux estimates