Search results for "Seamount"

The Graham Bank (Sicily Channel, central Mediterranean Sea). Seafloor signatures of volcanic and tectonic controls

2018

Abstract Graham Bank is a dominant physiographic element of the NW Sicily Channel (central Mediterranean Sea), affected in the last 100 years by numerous well-documented volcanic eruptions. We present the first results of a geomorphological study where the Graham Bank region in the depth interval 7–350 m was mapped for the first time with multi-beam echosounder and high-resolution seismic and multi-channel seismic reflection profiles. We describe in high resolution the detailed geomorphological features of Graham Bank, and how the superficial expression of different process and dynamics occurring in the sub-seafloor evidence volcanic and tectonic controls on seafloor morphology across a rel…

Calcareous nannofossil palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and preservation in sapropel S1 at the Eratosthenes Seamount (Eastern Mediterranean)

2019

Abstract The most recent organic carbon-enriched layer (sapropel S1) deposited at the Eratosthenes Seamount has unique features, such as an early lithological interruption, fine light silt laminae and an exceptional vertical extent that is over 25 cm thick. Here we investigate calcareous nannofossil assemblages to reconstruct very high-resolution palaeoenvironmental and palaeoceanographic variations recorded before, during and after the perturbation episode that involved the eastern Mediterranean Sea, due to the massive freshwater discharge via Nile River. Our results show that the deep chlorophyll maximum development, observed in all micropalaeontological groups from previous studies, is a…

Volcanism on the Eggvin Bank (Central Norwegian-Greenland Sea, latitude ∼71°N): age, source, and relationship to the Iceland and putative Jan Mayen p…

2004

Abstract The Eggvin Bank (Central Norwegian-Greenland Sea, latitude ∼71°N) is a topographically anomalous shallow area with scattered volcanic peaks extending between the island of Jan Mayen and East Greenland and straddling the northern segment of the mid-Atlantic Kolbeinsey Ridge axis. Basalts dredged from the Eggvin Bank range from variably depleted, tholeiitic, near-axis lavas to enriched, transitional-to-alkaline, off-axis seamount lavas. In terms of normalised incompatible element patterns, the most depleted, near-axis tholeiite is similar to neighbouring Kolbeinsey Ridge basalts, whereas the off-axis, transitional-to-alkaline lavas are similar to other alkaline basalts occurring clos…

Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios, geochemical compositions, and40Ar/39Ar data of lavas from San Felix Island (Southeast Pacific): Implications for magma genes…

2000

We present the first trace element and age data combined with new Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope ratios on lavas from San Felix Island in the Southeast Pacific. A 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 421 ± 18 ka implies young intraplate volcanic activity in this region relative to the ∼22 Ma old volcanism on the neighbouring Easter seamount chain (ESC). The incompatible element compositions of the San Felix magmas are similar to those of EM1-type basalts from Gough, although the isotopic compositions differ. San Felix formed some 20 Ma after the ESC plume affected the plate in this region but no chemical signature of the ESC material is observed in the young volcanic rocks. The composition of the San Felix bas…

Petrology and geochemistry of submarine volcanism in the Sicily Channel Rift

2006

Submarine magmatism in the Sicily Channel Rift began in the early Pliocene and lasted until almost 200 yr ago. We present here petrological and geochemical data on volcanic rocks dredged from Graham and Nameless banks and Pantelleria seamounts in the Pelagian sector of the Sicily Channel Rift. Petrological evidence suggests that the ascent of magmas to the surface was relatively rapid, probably through channels superimposed over the major tectonic discontinuities of the Rift. Major and trace element data indicate an ocean island basalt affinity for Graham and Nameless bank alkaline lavas and a depleted tholeiitic signature for one Pantelleria seamount, which had a shallower mantle source. S…

Concept of Biogenic Ferromanganese Crust Formation: Coccoliths as Bio-seeds in Crusts from Central Atlantic Ocean (Senghor Seamount/Cape Verde)

2011

At depths of 2,000 to 3,000 m, seamounts from the Cape Verde archipelago (Central Atlantic Ocean) are largely covered with ferromanganese crusts. Here we studied 60 to 150 mm thick crusts from the Senghor Seamount (depth: 2257.4 m). The crusts have a non lamellated texture and are covered with spherical nodules. The chemical composition shows a dominance of MnO2 (26.1%) and Fe2O3 (38.8%) with considerable amounts of Co (0.74%) and TiO2 (2.1%). Analysis by scanning electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) revealed a well defined compositional zonation of micro-layers; the distribution pattern of Mn does not match that of Fe. Analysis by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed…

The INGV's new OBS/H: Analysis of the signals recorded at the Marsili submarine volcano

2009

Abstract The ocean bottom seismometer with hydrophone deployed on the flat top of the Marsili submarine volcano (790 m deep) by the Gibilmanna OBS Lab (CNT–INGV) from 12th to 21st July, 2006, recorded more than 1000 transient seismic signals. Nineteen of these signals were associated with tectonic earthquakes: 1 teleseismic, 8 regional (located by INGV) and 10 small local seismic events (non located earthquakes). The regional events were used to determine sensor orientation. By comparing the signals recorded with typical volcanic seismic activity, we were able to group all the other signals into three categories: 817 volcano–tectonic type B (VT-B) events, 159 occurrences of high frequency t…

NEOTECTONIC ACTIVITY AND EMISSION OF FLUIDS IN THE NORTHWEST SICILY CHANNEL

The southern Sicilian coast represents an important contribution to Italian tourism, the Sicily Channel is an important communication path because at the top of its seafloor there are many pipelines, and submarine communication cables which are laid to carry signals, and which are very important to the minor islands. In this work, we are presenting results of the detailed geomorphological and seismostratigraphic analysis based on new very high-resolution dataset (multibeam and CHIRP) acquired during the ACUSCAL 2015 Cruise. We also used low resolution bathymetric and seismic data provided from online database (ViDEPI, GEBCO, EMODnet). This study allows us to reconstruct the tectonic volcani…

Molecular Biomineralization: Toward an Understanding of the Biogenic Origin of Polymetallic Nodules, Seamount Crusts, and Hydrothermal Vents

2011

Polymetallic nodules and crusts, hydrothermal vents from the Deep Sea are economically interesting, since they contain alloying components, e.g., manganese or cobalt, that are used in the production of special steels; in addition, they contain rare metals applied for plasma screens, for magnets in hard disks, or in hybrid car motors. While hydrothermal vents can regenerate in weeks, polymetallic nodules and seamount crusts grow slowly. Even though the geochemical basis for the growth of the nodules and crusts has been well studied, the contribution of microorganisms to the formation of these minerals remained obscure. Recent HR-SEM (high-resolution scanning electron microscopy) analyses of …

Growth and geomorphic evolution of the Ustica volcanic complex at the Africa-Europe plate margin (Tyrrhenian Sea)

2021

18 pages, 13 figures, 1 table