Seismic observation of an active detachment faulting system beneath the Longqi hydrothermal field at the ultraslow spreading southwest Indian ridge

Hydrothermal processes in detachment settings at slow and ultraslow spreading ridges differ greatly from those at melt-rich faster spreading ridges. Active detachment faulting provides the possibility for off-axis high-temperature hydrothermal vents located far away from the heat source beneath the axial volcanic ridge. Seismic data from the slow spreading Mid-Atlantic ridge revealed that hydrothermal fluids may exploit detachment faults to extract heat from a melt zone near the crust-mantle interface. However, knowledge of the subsurface structure and the kinematic processes of detachment faults, and their interaction with hydrothermal fields at the slowest spreading ridges is still insufficient. Here, we report new insights on the seismicity beneath the Longqi hydrothermal field at the ultraslow spreading southwest Indian ridge from three ocean bottom seismometer monitoring experiments. The seismicity outlines the subsurface geometry of a detachment faulting system (DF1 and DF2). The strongly flexed DF1 (45 degrees) is a mature detachment fault with a domed-shaped OCC where ultramafic rocks are exposed on the seafloor. An active young DF2 with intense earthquake activity along the steep subsurface (67 degrees) suggests the initiation phase of rotation. The diversity of hydrothermal activities in the Longqi detachmenthydrothermal systems is closely related to the evolution of detachment faults. Additionally, both the nontransform discontinuity on the western margin of the Longqi-1 field and local faults facilitate hydrothermal circulation. Our study provides baseline observations for a Longqi-type of hydrothermal circulation at the inside corner associated with detachment faulting and non-transform offsets.

Automated summary

Hydrothermal processes differ between detachment settings at slow and ultraslow spreading ridges and melt-rich faster spreading ridges. Detachment faulting allows for off-axis high-temperature hydrothermal vents, while seismic data from slow spreading ridges reveal that hydrothermal fluids may exploit detachment faults to extract heat. However, knowledge of the subsurface structure and kinematic processes of detachment faults, and their interaction with hydrothermal fields at the slowest spreading ridges, is still insufficient.