Hydrothermal convection

Lister, C.R.B. (1973) Hydrothermal convection at seafloor spreading centers source of power or geophysical nightmare Geol. Soc. Am. Ab.st. Programs, 5, 74. 

In most VMS districts, one or two large deposits dominate a camp full of smaller deposits (e.g., Horne Mine, Noranda Matsumine, Kuroko Mattagami Lake Mine, Matagami). We use finite element simulation of hydrothermal convection and associated chemical processes in attempt to explain this spatial distribution. 

Russell, M.J. 1983. Major Sediment-Hosted Exhalative Zinc + Lead Deposits Formation From Hydrothermal Convection Cells That Deepen During Crustal Extension. In Sangster, D.F (ed.), MAC Short Course in Sediment-hosted stratiform iead-inc deposits. 

Fehn, U., Cathles, L.M., Holland, H.D. 1978. Hydrothermal convection and uranium deposits in abnormally radioactive plutons. Economic Geology, 73, 1556-1566. 

Alternatively, the duration of hydrothermal convection in the oceanic crust can be estimated by mapping the distribution of nonlinear temperature profiles taken during heat-flow measurements as a function of oceanic-crustal age. Purely conductive heat loss (i.e., no hydrothermal circulation) results in linear temperature profiles in sediments, while convective heat loss results in concave or convex profiles, depending on whether the water penetrates into or comes out of the sediments. 

Schematic diagram of hydrothermal convection. The left half is a cross section of a spreading center with a shallow heat source indicating the water flow. The right half is a schematic description of the relative locations of water-rock reactions (W-R Rxn) and phase separation along the flow of hydrothermal circulation. Adapted from German and Von Damm (2003).

Axial hydrothermal convection Off-axis convection Recycling through... 

Hydrothermal Convection and Generation of Hydrohermal Flnids at Mid-Ocean Ridges... 

Fig. 13.2 Model showing a seawater hydrothermal convection system above a subaxial magma chamber at an oceanic spreading center. Radius of a typical convection cell is about 3-5 km. Depth of the magma chamber usually varies between 1.5 and 3.5 km (see text for details).

Combamous, M.A., and Bories, S.A., 1975. Hydrothermal convection in saturated porous media. Advances in Hydroscience, Vol. 10, edited by V.T. Chow, Academic Press, New York, NY, pp.231-307. 

Ikeuchi K., Komatsu R., Doi N., Sakagawa Y., Sasaki M., Kamenosono H. Uchida T. 1996. Bottom of hydrothermal convection found by temperature measurements above 500 °C and fluid inclusion study of WD-I in Kakkonda geothermal field, Japan. Geothermal Resources Council Transactions 20 pp. 609-616. 

Ikeuchi, K., R. Komatsu, N. Doi, Y. Sakagawa. M. Sasaki, H. Kamenosono and T. Uchida, 19%, Bottom of Hydrothermal Convection Found by Temperature Measurements above 500°C and Fluid Inclusion Study of WD-1 in Kakkonda Geothermal Field, Japan, Geothermal Resources Council Transactions, Vol. 20, pp. 609-616. 

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