An authoritative global database for active submarine hydrothermal vent fields

The InterRidge Vents Database is available online as the authoritative reference for locations of active submarine hydrothermal vent fields. Here we describe the revision of the database to an open source content management system and conduct a meta‐analysis of the global distribution of known activ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems : G3 geophysics, geosystems : G3, 2013-11, Vol.14 (11), p.4892-4905
Main Authors: Beaulieu, Stace E., Baker, Edward T., German, Christopher R., Maffei, Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
deep-sea vent
Drupal
Economics
Geophysics
Hydrocarbons
hydrothermal activity
hydrothermal vent
Marine
Marine protected areas
Mineral resources
Ocean floor
Oceans
Policies
Seas
Source code
Submarines
Vents
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The InterRidge Vents Database is available online as the authoritative reference for locations of active submarine hydrothermal vent fields. Here we describe the revision of the database to an open source content management system and conduct a meta‐analysis of the global distribution of known active vent fields. The number of known active vent fields has almost doubled in the past decade (521 as of year 2009), with about half visually confirmed and others inferred active from physical and chemical clues. Although previously known mainly from mid‐ocean ridges (MORs), active vent fields at MORs now comprise only half of the total known, with about a quarter each now known at volcanic arcs and back‐arc spreading centers. Discoveries in arc and back‐arc settings resulted in an increase in known vent fields within exclusive economic zones, consequently reducing the proportion known in high seas to one third. The increase in known vent fields reflects a number of factors, including increased national and commercial interests in seafloor hydrothermal deposits as mineral resources. The purpose of the database now extends beyond academic research and education and into marine policy and management, with at least 18% of known vent fields in areas granted or pending applications for mineral prospecting and 8% in marine protected areas. Key Points InterRidge Vents Database provides locations of active hydrothermal vent fields Number of known active vent fields has almost doubled in the past decade to 521 There are more known vent fields in exclusive economic zones than in high seas
ISSN:1525-2027
1525-2027
DOI:10.1002/2013GC004998