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North Gorda Ridge Segment

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 42.67°N
  • 126.78°W

  • -3000 m
    -9843 ft

  • 331031
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: January 1998 (BGVN 23:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic swarm on 8 January

On 8 January in the NE Pacific, the NOAA/PMEL T-phase Monitoring System recorded high seismicity from the E flank of the Gorda Ridge's N section (figure 7). The exact nature of the activity is unknown. Over 500 small earthquakes were recorded during a 6-day period (figures 8 and 9). The events were located along several en-echelon normal faults on the flank of the Gorda Ridge, E of the neovolcanic zone (figure 9). The moment-tensor solution for a M 3.8 earthquake within the swarm showed the event to be a normal fault earthquake.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 7. Map of plate boundaries and other features associated with the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the NE Pacific. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 8. Number of seismic events per hour at the N section of the Gorda Ridge during 6-14 January 1998. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 9. Earthquake epicenters along the flank of the N end of Gorda Ridge recorded during 7-14 January 1998. The base map shows bathymetric contours shaded with darker fill patterns at greater depths. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.

Substantial data sets from the Gorda Ridge were collected during the 1980s, including water column surveys, full SeaBeam coverage, SeamarC I and II surveys, camera surveys, extensive dredges, and submersible dives. A submarine lava flow erupted in 1996 (BGVN 21:02 and 21:06) at the N end of the Gorda Ridge (~200 km W of Oregon's S coast). The eruption was initially detected based on acoustic T-waves (seismic waves transmitted through the ocean) from a seismic swarm and based on large thermal plumes in the colder ambient sea water. Subsequent camera tows revealed new lava flows ~100-200 m wide located along a fissure that was at least 3.5-km long.

Information Contacts: Chris Fox and Bob Dziak, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), 2115 SE Osu Drive, Newport, OR 97365 USA (URL: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/).

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for North Gorda Ridge Segment.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

02/1996 (BGVN 21:02) Eruption or intrusive event detected by acoustic signals

06/1996 (BGVN 21:06) Submarine plumes and a brief fissure eruption

01/1998 (BGVN 23:01) Seismic swarm on 8 January




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


February 1996 (BGVN 21:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption or intrusive event detected by acoustic signals

In late February and early March a possible submarine eruption was detected on the Gorda Ridge. Seismo-acoustic T-waves established the epicenter at between 42.41 and 42.75°N. Vertical conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) casts found a candidate plume at 42.67°N, 126.78°W.

Beginning at 0700 GMT on 28 February, intense seismicity was detected using the T-phase Monitoring System developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental laboratory (NOAA/PMEL) to access the U.S. Navy's Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) in the NE Pacific. The event was located on the northernmost segment of the Gorda Ridge (figure 1), over 200 km W of the Oregon coast. The seismicity was very similar to that observed in June 1993 at the CoAxial Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge at 46.5°N (BGVN 18:07), which was later documented to be the lateral injection of magma with a subsequent eruption.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Bathymetric map of the northernmost Gorda Ridge, NE Pacific Ocean. White box shows the approximate area of the hydrothermal plumes found during 10-11 March 1996. The "narrow-gate" summit area is located just N of the plume location, around 42.75°N, 126.75°E. Inset bathymetric map shows the Blanco Fracture Zone and the Gorda Ridge, with the eruption site indicated by a white dot. Courtesy of the RIDGE Office.

For the first 42 hours of T-wave seismicity, two proximal SOSUS arrays were not operating, so the presence of seismicity in the general area of the northern Gorda Ridge was confirmed based on distant arrays. The proximal SOSUS array became operational on 6 March, allowing improved sensitivity and epicenter estimates. Seismicity continued during 6-8 March, located thoughout the S half of the ridge segment from 42°25' to 42°45'N.

The Gorda Ridge Eruption Assessment Team (GREAT), aboard the NOAA Ship MacArthur, reached the area on 8 March. They began a series of vertical CTD casts starting at 42°26.2'N, 126°55.3' W, and proceeding N along the ridge axis with measurements at ~2' intervals; only 2,900 m of wire was useable. No plume signals were detected on the first six casts, although up to 1 km of the water column remained below the deepest CTD depths reached. At 42°37.9'N, 126°47.8'W, temperature and particle plumes were found between 1,850 and 2,800 m above a bottom depth of 3,300 m. The main plume lens was centered at 1,850-2,300 m, with several thinner and less intense plumes below. Plume distribution was similar at the next two stations N, though the overall plume became thinner and less intense. A plume located 24 hours later was similar, perhaps indicating advection of the plume to the W.

On 9 March seismicity decreased to <10 events/hour. Only minor seismic activity was recorded on 10 March, mostly from the shallower "narrow-gate" (summit) area near 42°45'N. That day, GREAT detected a large hydrothermal plume centered near 42°40'N, 126°47'W that may have been due to recent magmatic activity. Initial survey work indicated that the plume may have been an agglomeration of more than one discharge. It had a maximum thickness of ~700 m, a maximum diameter of ~10 km, and a maximum temperature anomaly of ~0.12°C. Seismicity continued at a low level (<5 earthquakes/hour) during 11-14 March. Seismic activity increased again at 1625 GMT on 15 March to >25 events in the first hour. The nature of the seismicity appeared to be due to magma injection rather than eruption. Preliminary locations for the 15 March activity were in the summit area.

Based on their exceptional height above the axial valley, most of the major plumes detected through 15 March were thought to be event plumes. The capability to demonstrate the vertical and horizontal symmetry characteristic of event plumes was not available. Apparently, several distinct event plumes were mapped that differ in depth and in horizontal and vertical dimensions. One alternative hypothesis is that all, or some, of the plumes are chronic plumes originating high on the valley walls. No substantial near-seafloor plumes have been found. The source of the presumed event plumes may be S of their present position in water too deep for available equipment to reach, farther to the N where samples had not yet been taken, or beneath their present position but as yet undetected.

Remaining unanswered questions regarding the Gorda Ridge event, as well as mid-ocean ridge events generally include: spatial and temporal patterns of seismicity, intrusive vs. extrusive behavior, the origin of the event plumes, and patterns and rates of geochemical and microbiological processes associated with event plumes and resulting chronic plumes. A second response cruise on the UNOLS RV Wecoma during the first two weeks of April 1996 will focus on water column work and camera tows.

Substantial data sets have been previously collected in this area. Water column surveys collected by NOAA in 1985 and later surveys by Oregon State University showed water column temperature anomalies in the area, which was labelled GR-14. Full SeaBeam coverage has been collected by NOAA. SeamarC II surveys were collected in the area in 1983 by USGS/University of Hawaii. Detailed SeamarC I surveys were collected by NOAA/PMEL in the northern half of the segment in 1987. Camera surveys were conducted in 1985-86 by USGS and NOAA/PMEL. Extensive dredges were also collected by USGS. The Navy's SeaCliff submersible dove in the area in 1988.

Information Contacts: Chris Fox, Bob Embley, Bob Dziak, and Ed Baker, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 2115 SE Osu Drive, Newport, OR 97365 USA (URL: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov); RIDGE Office, Ocean Processes Analysis Laboratory, Morse Hall, 39 College Road, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824-3525 USA (URL: http://ridge.unh.edu).


June 1996 (BGVN 21:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Submarine plumes and a brief fissure eruption

The following report describes preliminary results of investigations on the eruptive activity that began on 28 February along the Gorda Ridge (BGVN 21:02). On 10-11 March 1996 NOAA's RV MacArthur carried out a series of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) casts to study the plume(s) activity.

Figure 2 shows a N-S cross section of the temperature anomaly through the event plume(s) discovered above the ridge. The temperature anomaly was defined as the increase of the water temperature above that expected for a given density horizon. The contours are based on five vertical casts evenly spaced between 42°36' and 42°43'N. A similar pattern was observed on an E-W transect. Since previous event plumes were characterized by symmetry about a central core, the structure in this anomaly suggested an agglomeration of two or more separate plumes. The events that caused the plumes could have been separated in space and time or both.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. N-S cross section of the temperature anomaly through the Gorda Ridge event plume(s), 18 March 1996. Courtesy of E. Baker, NOAA/PMEL.

Water samples taken from station 7 (42°37.9'N, 126°47.8'W) in mid-March showed a very high enrichment in Helium-3 (figure 3). The presence of this isotope, enriched in fresh oceanic volcanic rocks and in submarine hydrothermal fluids, suggested a hydrothermal input into the ocean. Station 7 was also characterized by an increase in temperature and in suspended particles (nephels).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Concentration of Helium-3 for station 7 along the Gorda Ridge. Courtesy of J. Lupton, R. Greene, L. Evans, and R. Kovar NOAA/PMEL.

The plot of Helium-3 concentration versus temperature anomaly at stations 7 and 13 (42°45.7'N, 126°44.8'W) suggested that each had sampled water columns with different plume characteristics (figure 4). The Helium-3/heat trend for station 7 (the event plume) had a flat slope of 0.34 x 10-12 cm3/cal, similar to other event plumes detected in 1986 and 1993 over the Juan de Fuca Ridge. In contrast, the plume detected at station 13 had a much higher helium-3/heat trend of 2.27 x 10-12 cm3/cal.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 4. Plot of Helium-3 concentration vs. temperature difference for stations 5 and 7 along the Gorda Ridge. The y-axis shows 3He concentrations in units of cubic centimeters of gas at standard temperature and pressure per gram of seawater. Courtesy of J. Lupton, R. Greene, L. Evans, and R. Kovar NOAA/PMEL.

SEM analysis of the first sample from the megaplume site at GR-14 revealed the presence of Fe-oxides, Zn-sulfides, and bacterial aggregates. The Fe-oxides were found with and without phosphorus. It was suggested that Fe-oxides formed beneath the seafloor lacked phosphorus, whereas Fe-oxides formed within the megaplume were enriched in phosphorus. The Zn-sulfides were very pure (i.e., no Fe). This sample appeared similar to the plume samples collected over the flow site in 1993. Preliminary results from the dissolved concentrations of Mn and Fe suggested that the event plume had formed recently.

In April the RV Wecoma surveyed a new lava flow with five camera tows. Figure 5 is a digital camera image that shows the contact between the new lava flow at the ridge and the surrounding older lava. The eruption site was at least 3.5 km long and only ~100-200 m wide, based mainly on the distribution of near-bottom temperature anomalies above the cooling flow. With this shape, the flow was clearly the product of a brief fissure eruption, where a dike reached the surface. The lava flow was located directly under the event plume mapped by CTD casts during the RV MacArthur cruise. Figure 6 shows the new lava flow, the camera tows, the CTD casts, the event plume(s), and the epicenters detected in the area since 28 February (BGVN 21:02).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 5. Contact between the new lava flow and the surrounding older lava. The image was taken by a Benthos digital camera developed for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Dan Fornari, P.I.) (scale of image was undisclosed).
Figure (see Caption) Figure 6. Map showing an overview of the investigated area with the general location of the event plume. Courtesy of B. Embley and B. Chadwick. The T-wave epicenters appear as triangles; the RV McArthur CTD casts are shown as crosses.

Information Contacts: Chris Fox, Bob Dziak, Bob Embley, Bill Chadwick, Ed Baker, John Lupton, Dick Feely, and Gary Massoth, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 2115 SE Osu Drive, Newport, OR 97365 USA (URL: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/).


January 1998 (BGVN 23:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic swarm on 8 January

On 8 January in the NE Pacific, the NOAA/PMEL T-phase Monitoring System recorded high seismicity from the E flank of the Gorda Ridge's N section (figure 7). The exact nature of the activity is unknown. Over 500 small earthquakes were recorded during a 6-day period (figures 8 and 9). The events were located along several en-echelon normal faults on the flank of the Gorda Ridge, E of the neovolcanic zone (figure 9). The moment-tensor solution for a M 3.8 earthquake within the swarm showed the event to be a normal fault earthquake.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 7. Map of plate boundaries and other features associated with the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the NE Pacific. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 8. Number of seismic events per hour at the N section of the Gorda Ridge during 6-14 January 1998. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 9. Earthquake epicenters along the flank of the N end of Gorda Ridge recorded during 7-14 January 1998. The base map shows bathymetric contours shaded with darker fill patterns at greater depths. Courtesy of NOAA/PMEL.

Substantial data sets from the Gorda Ridge were collected during the 1980s, including water column surveys, full SeaBeam coverage, SeamarC I and II surveys, camera surveys, extensive dredges, and submersible dives. A submarine lava flow erupted in 1996 (BGVN 21:02 and 21:06) at the N end of the Gorda Ridge (~200 km W of Oregon's S coast). The eruption was initially detected based on acoustic T-waves (seismic waves transmitted through the ocean) from a seismic swarm and based on large thermal plumes in the colder ambient sea water. Subsequent camera tows revealed new lava flows ~100-200 m wide located along a fissure that was at least 3.5-km long.

Information Contacts: Chris Fox and Bob Dziak, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), 2115 SE Osu Drive, Newport, OR 97365 USA (URL: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/).

The Global Volcanism Program has no synonyms or subfeatures listed for North Gorda Ridge Segment.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 3 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1996 Feb 28 (?) - 1996 Mar 15 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Near center of North Gorda Ridge segment
1996 Feb 28 (?) - 1996 Mar 15 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Near center of North Gorda Ridge segment

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1996 Feb 28
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

3020 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
3020 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Uranium-series

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
3020 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4840 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
4840 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: Uranium-series

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
4840 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for North Gorda Ridge Segment.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for North Gorda Ridge Segment.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for North Gorda Ridge Segment in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites