In a pioneering new study, Thibaut Barreyre of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Brest found that … Her previous research led her to a novel new predictive approach for volcanic eruptions at mid-ocean ridges. This research presents an unprecedented, high-resolution, 35-year time-series of temperature measurements. The information was collected across five hydrothermal vents along the East Pacific Rise, a segment known for its relatively high activity and well-documented history of study within the mid-ocean ridge system, globally.
The East Pacific Rise, which stretches more than 3,000 kilometers, is a key area for learning about volcanism under the sea. The implications of the study’s findings forthcoming in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences are pretty thrilling. Minor temperature changes at hydrothermal vents could act as a precursor alarm bell for imminent seafloor eruptions. This kind of insight would greatly improve monitoring and help us better understand interactions between Earth’s interior and oceans.
Detailed Temperature Measurements
Our research team deployed an array of data loggers at the hydrothermal vents along the East Pacific Rise. These ingenious loggers kept 10 minute records of vent fluid temperature for up to a year. This massive dataset gave scientists the opportunity to see patterns in vent temperatures, which can reach well over 350°C (660°F).
The study revealed a notable pattern: vent temperatures steadily increased from approximately 350°C to nearly 390°C in the years leading up to two significant eruptions between 1991–1992 and 2005–2006. After the 2018 eruption, temps reached as low as ~350°C. They have been on the upswing, suggesting that monitoring such increases in temperature could provide important warnings of impending volcanic activity.
The team’s primary platform for gathering data was the human-occupied vehicle Alvin. It installed geological and biological sampling stations on the hydrothermal vents and recovered instruments abandoned by expeditioners past. Handheld technology paired with long-term monitoring go together like coffee and doughnuts. This potent equation is critical for understanding the dynamic and rapidly evolving environments beneath the surface.
Implications for Volcanic Forecasting
With her recent research, Barreyre offers the first conclusive evidence. It provides the first evidence that small, temperature fluctuations at hydrothermal vents may herald imminent eruptions on the seafloor. This progress has a big effect on international ocean observing networks. This is particularly critical for those working on mid-ocean ridges, where such conditions exist.
Understanding how temperature variations correlate with volcanic activity could lead to improved predictive models, allowing scientists to issue warnings about potential eruptions. With these forecasts, safety for all marine operations will be greatly enhanced. Beyond that, they will deepen our understanding of the processes behind plate tectonics and the formation of oceanic crust.
Our discoveries provide a key opening for future research into the ways bubbly interiors of the Earth interface with oceanic fronts. By integrating temperature data with other geological indicators, researchers could develop a more comprehensive picture of volcanic processes occurring beneath the ocean surface.
Future Research Directions
The extensive data provided by the study’s findings sets the stage for future research, which hopes to predict such underwater volcanos eruptions more effectively. Barreyre and his team are continuing efforts to build their dataset. At the same time, they are learning more about how changes in temperature can impact geological phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Additionally, researchers are studying ways to ramp up monitoring across other mid-ocean ridges around the world to confirm these results. Setting up a comprehensive, global network of monitoring stations would be a research game changer. Like never before would they have the opportunity to see and react to volcanic activity beneath the waves.