Submarine hydrothermal manganese deposits in the Izu–Bonin – Mariana arc: An overview |
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| Authors: | A U sui & G P G lasby |
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| Institution: | Geological Survey of Japan, 1-1-3 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan,;Department of Earth Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7HF, UK |
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| Abstract: | Submarine hydrothermal manganese deposits are relatively common along the Izu–Bonin – Mariana (IBM) arc but hydrothermal iron crusts are much less so. The hydrothermal manganese deposits show characteristics typical of submarine hydrothermal manganese deposits found worldwide. Recent hydrothermal manganese deposits associated with active hydrothermal systems occur on seamounts or rifts located ∼ 5–40 km behind the volcanic front on the Shichito-Iwojima Ridge, IBM. Fossil hydrothermal manganese deposits associated with older hydrothermal systems occur on inactive seamounts located on ridges running parallel to the volcanic front in both forearc and back-arc settings. These fossil hydrothermal manganese deposits are generally overlain by younger hydrogenetic manganese crusts. Differences in minor element composition and in the rare earth element pattern of hydrothermal manganese deposits from the forearc and back-arc settings may reflect differences in the nature of substrate rocks or temperature of the hydrothermal fluids at these locations. |
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| Keywords: | hydrothermal deposits Izu–Bonin arc manganese crust Mariana arc northwest Pacific REE |
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