This is a project to obtain chemical, mineralogical, textural, and thermodynamic analysis of hydrothermal mound structures from samples obtained from East Pacific Rise at 21 N and the Endeavor segment of the Juan de Fuca ridge. The principal focus will be on the sample suite obtained during an ALVIN expedition to the Endeavor segment in July, 1988. Data will include petrographic analysis, XRF, microprobe, isotopic and fluid inclusion studies. Data will permit description of mound structures and will help elucidate the relationship between the mound and chimney structures. %%% One of the most exciting discoveries on the seafloor during the past decade has been that of active high temperature venting and the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits. The hydrothermal structures consist of large basal mounds with chimneys superimposed on them. The bulk of the work on analyzing hydrothermal samples has been on the small, actively growing chimneys; little work has been done on the larger mounds structures. This project will begin the work on this important component of hydrothermal precipitate on the seafloor.
