Hydrothermal Chimney Distribution on the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge

Abstract

Abstract The Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge is well known for its abundance of hydrothermal vents and chimneys. One‐meter scale multibeam mapping data collected by an autonomous undersea vehicle revealed 572 chimneys along the central 14 km of the segment, although only 47 are named and known to be active. Hydrothermal deposits are restricted to the axial graben and the near‐rims of the graben above a seismically mapped axial magma lens. The sparse eruptive activity on the segment during the last 4,300 years has not buried inactive chimneys, as occurs at more magmatically robust mid‐ocean ridges.

Keywords

• hydrothermal chimneys
• Endeavour Ridge
• AUV mapping