Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Volcanic Eruptions On Mid-Ocean Ridges: New Evidence From The Superfast Spreading East Pacific Rise, 17˚-19˚S, John Sinton, Eric Bergmanis, Ken Rubin, Rodey Batiza, Tracy K P Gregg, Karl Gronvold, Ken C. Macdonald, Scott M. White

Faculty Publications

Side-scan sonar, submersible observations and sampling of lava flows from the East Pacific Rise, 17_–19_S constrain the character and variability of submarine volcanic eruptions along mid-ocean ridges. Nine separate lava sequences were mapped using relative age and lithological contrasts among recovered samples. Axial lengths activated during eruptive episodes range from _1 to >18 km; individual flow field areas vary from <1 to >19 km2. Estimated erupted volumes range from <1 to >200 _ 106 m3. The largest unit is the chemically uniform Animal Farm lava near 18_370S. The youngest lava is the Aldo-Kihi flow field, 17_240–340S, probably erupted in the early 1990s from a …