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The role of magma injection in localizing black-smoker activity

Nature Geoscience volume 2, pages 509–513 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Black-smoker hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges are often driven by heat loss from a crustal magma chamber1,2,3, but black-smoker systems have not been detected above all magma chambers4,5. The high fluxes of heat recorded at black-smoker systems require a thin, metre-scale conductive boundary layer at the top of the magma chamber, separating hydrothermal fluids from magma2,6. Extensive seismicity above the magma chambers7,8,9,10,11 has been attributed to stresses from hydrothermal cooling8,9,10,12. The presence of high-temperature hydrothermal systems has previously been linked with episodes of magma chamber inflation2,6,13,14, but the exact mechanism remained to be clarified. Here we analyse seismic data for the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca ridge—a site of long-lived hydrothermal activity—recorded by seismometers located beneath the sea floor. Earthquake focal mechanisms derived from the data reveal a transition from normal faulting above the mid-crustal magma chamber to reverse faulting on either flank. This pattern of faulting is consistent with stress perturbations resulting from the emplacement of pressurized magma that forms a thin sill. We suggest that the ongoing recharge of magma into a crustal magma chamber not only replenishes the heat source2,6,14, but also helps maintain a thin conductive boundary layer that would otherwise thicken owing to water–rock interactions and crystallization at the chamber roof.

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Figure 1: Bathymetric maps showing the seismic network and earthquake epicentres.
Figure 2: Along-axis vertical cross-section showing hypocentres.
Figure 3: Bathymetric map showing focal mechanisms.
Figure 4: Cross-section of the focal mechanisms and stress perturbations from a pressurized crack.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Delaney and D. Kelley for their leadership of the programme that included this experiment; D. Bowman, J. Parker, H. Patel, C. Schmidt and student participants in a Friday Harbor Laboratories research apprenticeship for assistance with the initial data analysis and R. Lowell and R. Reves-Sohn for reviews that improved the manuscript. The W. M. Keck Foundation supported this research.

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Author notes

  1. Andrew H. Barclay, Debra S. Stakes & Tony M. Ramirez

    Present address: Present addresses: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, USA (A.H.B.); Cuesta College, Division of Physical Sciences, San Luis Obispo, California 93403, USA (D.S.S.); Triton Imaging, 125 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, California 95076, USA (T.M.R.),

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, School of Oceanography, Seattle, Washington 98195, Box 357940, USA

    William S. D. Wilcock & Andrew H. Barclay

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA

    Emilie E. E. Hooft & Douglas R. Toomey

  3. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, California 95039, USA

    Paul R. McGill, Debra S. Stakes & Tony M. Ramirez

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Contributions

P.R.M., D.S.S. and T.M.R. developed and prepared the seismometers. All the authors participated in the experiment at sea. W.S.D.W., E.E.E.H., D.R.T. and A.H.B. oversaw the initial data analysis. W.S.D.W. completed the analysis and wrote the paper, with editing from the other authors.

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Correspondence to William S. D. Wilcock.

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Wilcock, W., Hooft, E., Toomey, D. et al. The role of magma injection in localizing black-smoker activity. Nature Geosci 2, 509–513 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo550

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