Squid Forest

Squid Forest (Akkarsgogen in Norwegian literature) is an extinct hydrothermal vent field on the Kolbeinsey Ridge, approximately 900 metres (3,000 ft) deep.[1] As with many active vent sites, Squid Forest is a massive sulfide deposit.[2]

Squid Forest
An extinct series of hydrothermal vents near 68° N on the Kolbeinsey Ridge.
Map showing the location of Squid Forest
Map showing the location of Squid Forest
LocationKolbeinsey Ridge
Coordinates68°0′0″N 17°30′0″W / 68.00000°N 17.50000°W / 68.00000; -17.50000[3]
Min. elevation900 metres (3,000 ft)

Discovery and description

Squid forest was discovered in 1999 during a research cruise of the R/V Håkon Mosby.[2] It consists of two formerly-venting sites, estimated to have vented at 250–300 °C (482–572 °F) to form pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and barite minerals in the mounds.

R/V Häkon Mosby pictured in 2007, the ship that discovered Squid Forest.

References

  1. ^ Van Dover, Cindy Lee (23 July 2019). "Inactive Sulfide Ecosystems in the Deep Sea: A Review". Frontiers in Marine Science. 6 461. Bibcode:2019FrMaS...6..461V. doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00461.
  2. ^ a b Pedersen, Rolf Berger; Bjerkgård, Terje. Sea-floor massive sulphides in Arctic waters (PDF). pp. 209–215.
  3. ^ "Marine Regions Squid Forest (Hydrothermal vent)". marineregions.org.