Drilling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

[trux]

Around five years ago scientists discovered several square kilometers large spot of the mid-Atlantic ridge that is not covered with the usual oceanic crust, and has no eruptions of lava, but rather exposes a deeper layer of the Earth mantel (though a solidified layer, not a magmatic one). Just two days ago an expedition of a UK scientific team started an expedition that will map the place, and drill into it. There is a diary on their website where you can follow the progress of the expedition almost in real-time.



CLASSROOM@SEA PROJECT

Image credit © CLASSROOM@SEA PROJECT​

Mid-ocean ridges are a fascinating component of our planet's armour plating. Mid-ocean ridges are the place where new oceanic crust is born, with red-hot lava spewing out along the spreading axis as seafloor spreading progresses. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are still not well understood by scientists - hardly surprising when you consider that mid-ocean ridges are located thousands of metres below the surface of the ocean.

Scientists have discovered a large area thousands of square kilometers in extent in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean where the Earth's crust seems to be missing entirely. Instead, the mantle - the deep interior of the Earth, normally covered by crust many kilometers thick - is exposed on the seafloor, 3000m below the surface. It has been described as being like an open wound on the surface of the Earth. What scientists don't know is whether the ocean crust was first developed, and then ripped away by huge geological faults, or whether it never even developed in the first place.

 

[gaiadiver]

This is way cool.

 

[fcallagy]

on a similar vein
Home
for atlantic seabed surveys and other such cool information but with a lot of depths probably outside the range of your average recreational freediver

 

[wet]

Looks excellent, Trux. Thanks!

DDeden