西南印度洋中脊海底热液活动

REVIEW OF SUBMARINE HYDROTHERMAL ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHWEST INDIAN RIDGE

在超慢速扩张的西南印度洋中脊(SWIR)发现现代海底热液活动改变了人们的传统观点,有助于进一步深化对全球热液活动系统的认识。对西南印度洋中脊地质构造背景、玄武岩和超镁铁质岩的地球化学特征,以及热液活动的特点进行较为系统地分析。指出:独特的地质构造环境使西南印度洋中脊成为研究现代海底热液活动、地球圈层间相互作用所导致的物质与能量交换通量、在不同热液活动区热液循环系统及成矿作用的特殊性、了解热液生物的生物链结构及生态系统特征的绝佳"窗口"。今后的调查研究工作应该在更大范围和更为详细的调查基础上,重点研究SWIR热液活动系统的特殊性,以此丰富和发展现代海底热液活动及其成矿作用理论。

The discovery of submarine hydrothermal activities in the super-slow spreading ridge of Southwest Indian Ocean has altered the traditional view,and pushed forward the understanding of the global hydrothermal activity system in-depth.This review summarizes the studies on tectonic settings,hydrothermal activities and geochemical characteristics of the basalt and ultramafic rocks in SWIR.It suggests that the unique geo-environment of SWIR provides an excellent ＂window＂ to study modern submarine hydrothermal activities,heat and mass flux caused by the interactions among earth＇s layers,special nature of hydrothermal system and mineralization in different hydrothermal regions,deepsea ecosystems and food chain.Future research work should be lunched upon broader and more detailed investigation,with focus on the particularity of hydrothermal system of SWIR,so as to contribute more to the theory of modern submarine hydrothermal activity and mineralization.