The Collapse of Sulfide Columns Within the Axial Seamount in Relation to Thermal and Seismic Activity

Abstract

Hydrothermal vents release thermally heated seawater in combination with minerals to form precipitates in the seawater. The precipitates can form small columns that attach to the hydrothermal vents. One example of this occurrence is the hydrothermal vent, Mushroom. This hydrothermal vent is located on Axial Seamount off the coast of Oregon. Within the framework of Axial Seamount, a fiber optic cable network relays data from various sensors to the University of Washington. For the intentions of this study, the sensors documenting temperature and seismic activity were used in conjunction with video documentation. The data was processed over the period of November 2015 to July 2016. We discovered that temperature variations and fluctuations in seismic activity have no direct correlation to the column collapse events. We can conclude that these factors are not extremely relevant to the collapse events and other studies should be done to determine a plausible correlation. A proposal of marine technological advancements, such as a new sensor array to efficiently measure pressure changes, temperature, etc., should be considered to further the advancement of the underwater observatory.