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Centre for Geobiology

Research summary 2007-2010

Research in this theme involves deep-sea exploration and searching for new extreme environments. It therefore forms a basis for the geobiological research carried out by several of the other themes.

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In addition it has several independent research objectives related to hydrothermal systems, seabed fluid flow and the geodynamics of spreading ridges.

In this first phase of the Centre period, five international cruises have been organised by CGB to the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge (AMOR) system.

Objectives have been to:

  1. search for new hydrothermal vent sites
  2. determine the extent and diversity of hydrothermal activity at ultraslow spreading ridges
  3. document the architecture of the oceanic lithosphere.

During one of these cruises, in 2008, the first black smoker vent field yet to be found at an ultraslow spreading ridge was discovered.

CGB has also been involved in international cruises led by other institutions. In 2010 we contributed to an expedition to the Cayman Trough where the deepest and hottest vent site yet to be found on Earth was discovered.

Studies of the geodynamic processes shaping the oceanic lithosphere at ultraslow spreading rates have thus far focused on the acquisition and interpretation of seismic data as well as on geochemical studies of volcanic samples collected during cruises. In this context, a large seismic data set has been acquired and a large analytical programme has been initiated.

In 2010 research activities in this field increased as a result of a new collaborative international project focusing on ridge-plume interaction and the evolution of the Icelandic hot-spot.