title: The structure and dynamics of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems.
abstract: Sub-seafloor hydrothermal convection at mid-ocean ridges transfers 25% of the Earth's heat flux and can form massive sulfide ore deposits. Their three-dimensional (3D) structure and transient dynamics are uncertain. Using 3D numerical simulations, we demonstrated that convection cells self-organize into pipelike upflow zones surrounded by narrow zones of focused and relatively warm downflow. This configuration ensures optimal heat transfer and efficient metal leaching for ore-deposit formation. Simulated fluid-residence times are as short as 3 years. The concentric flow geometry results from nonlinearities in fluid properties, and this may influence the behavior of other fluid-flow systems in Earth's crust.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule-Zurich, Clausiusstrasse 25, Zurich 9082, Switzerland. coumou@pik-potsdam.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coumou
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Driesner
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Heinrich