Research project: Ridge flank hydrothermal circulation: Juan de Fuca Ridge Flank
The circulation of seawater through Mid Ocean Ridge Flanks accounts for more than two thirds of the global hydrothermal heat flux and is driven by the cooling of the oceanic lithosphere (e.g. Stein & Stein 1994, Elderfield & Schultz 1996) (Figure 1). This fluid flux is of a similar magnitude to the global riverine flux into the ocean, and modifies the composition of ocean crust and the oceans.
