Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough
Abstract Using deep-towed side-scan sonar (SSS) and sub-bottom profiler (SBP) data, we have investigated the hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano (MHV) at the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough. Our result reveals widespread acoustic transparent zones (TZs) in the s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44195-025-00107-8 |
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| author | Ching-Hui Tsai Shu-Kun Hsu Hsiao-Shan Lin Song-Chuen Chen Liwen Chen Chin-Wei Liang Ching Hsu Lien-Kai Lin Yen-Yu Cho |
| author_facet | Ching-Hui Tsai Shu-Kun Hsu Hsiao-Shan Lin Song-Chuen Chen Liwen Chen Chin-Wei Liang Ching Hsu Lien-Kai Lin Yen-Yu Cho |
| author_sort | Ching-Hui Tsai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Using deep-towed side-scan sonar (SSS) and sub-bottom profiler (SBP) data, we have investigated the hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano (MHV) at the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough. Our result reveals widespread acoustic transparent zones (TZs) in the shallow subsurface, which are generally interpreted as porous strata filled with hydrothermal fluid. These acoustic transparent zones exhibit lateral thinning and overpressure characteristics. Because the fluid channels are usually found beneath the thicker part of the transparent zones, a vertical migration of the hydrothermal fluid at depth and a horizontal migration or diffusion of the hydrothermal fluid in shallow high-porosity sediments are suggested. Our SBP profiles indicate multiple fluid channels vertically cutting through sedimentary layers and connecting with the upper TZs. The over-pressured hydrothermal fluid sometimes escapes from the seafloor and forms gas flares in the seawater column. The associated chimney structures (possibly black smokers) at the seafloor can be observed in the SSS imagery. The existence of the fluid channels, TZs, chimney features, and gas flares indicates an active and focused hydrothermal activity. However, the hydrothermal activity is vigorous in the eastern side of MHV. In contrast, the western and southern sides of the MHV display a waning or cessation of the hydrothermal activity, because of few chimney structures, seabed subsidence, and almost no gas flares. The hydrothermal activity in the MHV area reveals a temporal and spatial shift from west to east. By calculating the distribution of the mound-like or chimney structures from the SSS data, we estimate that the possibly hydrothermal mineralization area is approximately 2.2 km2. Our findings provide important insights into a submarine hydrothermal activity that is helpful for potential seabed mining in the MHV area. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d46464ff6caa4297b4b1d5f3e08779bc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1017-0839 2311-7680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d46464ff6caa4297b4b1d5f3e08779bc2025-08-20T03:38:18ZengSpringerTerrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences1017-08392311-76802025-07-0136112010.1007/s44195-025-00107-8Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa TroughChing-Hui Tsai0Shu-Kun Hsu1Hsiao-Shan Lin2Song-Chuen Chen3Liwen Chen4Chin-Wei Liang5Ching Hsu6Lien-Kai Lin7Yen-Yu Cho8Center for Environmental Studies, National Central UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Central UniversityCenter for Environmental Studies, National Central UniversityGeological Survey and Mining Management Agency, Ministry of Economic AffairsNational Academy of Marine Research, Ocean Affairs CouncilCenter for Environmental Studies, National Central UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Central UniversityDepartment of Earth Sciences, National Central UniversityCenter for Environmental Studies, National Central UniversityAbstract Using deep-towed side-scan sonar (SSS) and sub-bottom profiler (SBP) data, we have investigated the hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano (MHV) at the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough. Our result reveals widespread acoustic transparent zones (TZs) in the shallow subsurface, which are generally interpreted as porous strata filled with hydrothermal fluid. These acoustic transparent zones exhibit lateral thinning and overpressure characteristics. Because the fluid channels are usually found beneath the thicker part of the transparent zones, a vertical migration of the hydrothermal fluid at depth and a horizontal migration or diffusion of the hydrothermal fluid in shallow high-porosity sediments are suggested. Our SBP profiles indicate multiple fluid channels vertically cutting through sedimentary layers and connecting with the upper TZs. The over-pressured hydrothermal fluid sometimes escapes from the seafloor and forms gas flares in the seawater column. The associated chimney structures (possibly black smokers) at the seafloor can be observed in the SSS imagery. The existence of the fluid channels, TZs, chimney features, and gas flares indicates an active and focused hydrothermal activity. However, the hydrothermal activity is vigorous in the eastern side of MHV. In contrast, the western and southern sides of the MHV display a waning or cessation of the hydrothermal activity, because of few chimney structures, seabed subsidence, and almost no gas flares. The hydrothermal activity in the MHV area reveals a temporal and spatial shift from west to east. By calculating the distribution of the mound-like or chimney structures from the SSS data, we estimate that the possibly hydrothermal mineralization area is approximately 2.2 km2. Our findings provide important insights into a submarine hydrothermal activity that is helpful for potential seabed mining in the MHV area.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44195-025-00107-8Southern Okinawa TroughMienhua submarine volcanoHydrothermal ActivitySide-scan sonarSub-bottom profilerHydrothermal flare |
| spellingShingle | Ching-Hui Tsai Shu-Kun Hsu Hsiao-Shan Lin Song-Chuen Chen Liwen Chen Chin-Wei Liang Ching Hsu Lien-Kai Lin Yen-Yu Cho Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Southern Okinawa Trough Mienhua submarine volcano Hydrothermal Activity Side-scan sonar Sub-bottom profiler Hydrothermal flare |
| title | Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough |
| title_full | Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough |
| title_fullStr | Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough |
| title_short | Hydrothermal activity around the Mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern Okinawa Trough |
| title_sort | hydrothermal activity around the mienhua submarine volcano in the northern margin of the southern okinawa trough |
| topic | Southern Okinawa Trough Mienhua submarine volcano Hydrothermal Activity Side-scan sonar Sub-bottom profiler Hydrothermal flare |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44195-025-00107-8 |
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