We propose to study geodynamic and hydrothermal processes along one of the most slow-spreading segments of the global ridge system. This will lay the ground for a European lead proposal to the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) aimed to test hypothesis on the geodynamics and the extent and nature of hydrothermal activity, water-rock interactions and the deep biosphere at the ultraslow end of the spreading rate spectrum.
The Knipovich Ridge, which is one of the Arctic spreading ridges in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, represents the target area for the project. With an effective spreading rate of only ~ 6 mm/y, the southernmost part of this ridge is one of the slowest spreading ridge segments on Earth. Water column analyses show that hydrothermal venting currently takes place along this ridge segment, and an up to several hundred meters thick sedimentary sequence that cover large parts of the rift valley floor probably provide a record of the extent and nature of the hydrothermal activity. This sedimentary cover further provides a unique opportunity for zero-age drilling, which potentially may provide groundbreaking new insight as to the existence of a hydrogen-based deep biosphere sustained by the formation and alteration of oceanic crust and mantle by ultraslow spreading.
Project Leader:
Professor Rolf-Birger Pedersen
University of Bergen, Norway
Principal Investigators:
Professor Fernando Barriga
Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
Dr. Javier Escartin
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, IPGP, Paris, France
Dr. Gretchen Früh-Green
Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
Professor Rolf Mjelde
University of Bergen, Norway
Dr. Ingunn Thorseth
University of Bergen, Norway
Associated Partner:
Dr. Nils Holm
Stockholm University, Sweden
Dr. Christopher J. MacLeod
Cardiff University, United Kingdom
