Geology ReportsSearch

USGS · 70210278

Alvin explores the deep northern Gulf of Mexico Slope

Abstract

Many of the world's productive deepwater hydrocarbon basins experience significant and ongoing vertical migration of fluids and gases to the modern seafloor. These products, which are composed of hydrocarbon gases, crude oil, formation fluids, and fluidized sediment, dramatically change the geologic character of the ocean floor, and they create sites where chemosynthetic communities supported by sulfide and hydrocarbons flourish. Unique fauna inhabit these sites, and the chemosynthetic primary production results in communities with biomass much greater than that of the surrounding seafloor.

Explore related subjects

90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 24.986058021167594° to 29.094577077511826° latitude; -97.09716796875° to -89.47265625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Harry H. Roberts, R. Carney, M. Kupchik, Charles R. Fisher, S Kim Nelson, Erin Becker, Liz Goehring, Stephanie Lessard-Pilon, Guy Telesnicki, Bernie Bernard, James M. Brooks, Monika Bright, Erik E. Cordes, S. Hourdez, Jesse Hunt, William Shedd, Gregory Boland, Samantha B. Joye, V. Samarkin, M. Bernier, M. Bowler, Ian R. MacDonald, H. Niemann, Cindy Petersen, Cheryl Morrison, J.R. Potter. 2007-12-03. Alvin explores the deep northern Gulf of Mexico Slope. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007eo350001

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

Better approaches to managing drought in the American Southwest

The second in a series of USGS Southwest Region (SWR) “Science Exchange” annual workshops, focused on USGS drought science. The participants considered how extreme drought conditions are evolving in much of the American southwest, with an emphasis on integrated drought science planning at the USGS bureau and program levels. The increased need for interdisciplinary science to support resource-management decisions systems, was highlighted. The workshop brought together scientists and program managers from USGS with Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Bureau of Reclamation and state water management departments. Key objectives of the workshop were to improve awareness of ongoing drought-science work within the region, highlight the capabilities of USGS-SWR science centers in drought science, and build new relationships to advance best approaches in drought science. Topics covered in presentations and demonstrations were broad-ranging and included monitoring for drought early warning; water use and water production associated with petroleum production; paleo perspectives on drought, and ecological consequences of drought to native fish.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union

Defining opportunities for collaboration across data life cycles

Monitoring natural resources - water, forests, and animal populations—is required to support effective management of natural resources. However, because monitoring activities are often specific to a discipline, issue, or agency, it is typically difficult to integrate data to answer questions that transcend geopolitical and jurisdictional boundaries. How do we reach the better data integration we need?

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union

Coastal fog, climate change, and the environment

Coastal marine fog, a characteristic feature of climates generated at the eastern boundaries of ocean basins worldwide, evokes different feelings in those who experience it (see Figure 1). Authors and poets use fog to represent mystery, bleakness, and confusion. Film directors seek out fog to shroud scenes in eerie gloominess. Tourists visiting beaches bemoan the cool and damp conditions that create a striking contrast to the sunny warm conditions typically found less than a few kilometers inland. Airline passengers delayed by fog impatiently wait for the skies to clear. Residents get used to the Sun “rising” in midday after fog dissipates.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union