Ocean crustal veins record dynamic interplay between plate-cooling-induced cracking and ocean chemistry

Evans, Aled D.; Coggon, Rosalind M.; Harris, Michelle; Carter, Elliot J.; Albers, Elmar; Guérin, Gilles M.; Belgrano, Thomas M.; Jonnalagadda, Mallika; Grant, Lewis J.C.; Kempton, Pamela D.; Sanderson, David J.; Milton, James A.; Henstock, Timothy J.; Alt, Jeff C.; Teagle, Damon A.H.

Abstract

As ocean crust traverses away from spreading ridges, low-temperature hydrothermal minerals fill cracks to form veins, transforming the physical and chemical properties of ocean crust whilst also modifying the composition of seawater. Vein width and frequency observations compiled from the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) South Atlantic Transect (∼31°S) and previous scientific ocean drilling holes show that vein width distributions progressively broaden and observed strain
increases with crustal age, whereas vein densities
remain approximately constant. Elemental mapping and textural observations illuminate multiple precipitation and fracturing episodes that continue as the ocean crust ages. This challenges the existing notion that ocean crustal veins are passively filled; rather, they are dynamic features of ocean crust aging. These data, combined with thermal strain modelling, indicate a positive feedback mechanism where cooling of the ocean plate induces cracking and the reactivation of pre-existing veins, ultimately resulting in further cooling. Waning of this feedback provides a mechanism for the termination of the global average heat flow anomaly. Sites with total vein dilation greater than expected for their age correspond with crustal formation during periods of high atmospheric CO2. The amount of vein material thus reflects the changing balance between ocean plate cooling, ocean chemistry, and the age of the ocean crust. Our results demonstrate that ocean crust endures as an active geochemical reservoir for tens of millions of years after formation.

Citation

Evans, A. D., Coggon, R. M., Harris, M., Carter, E. J., Albers, E., Guérin, G. M., …Teagle, D. A. (2025). Ocean crustal veins record dynamic interplay between plate-cooling-induced cracking and ocean chemistry. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 650, Article 119116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119116

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 12, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 22, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2024
• Journal: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
• Print ISSN: 0012-821X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 650
• Article Number: 119116
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119116
• Keywords: Ocean crust alteration; carbon cycle; plate cooling; ocean chemistry; hydrothermal veins; thermal contraction
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1014796
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Ocean crustal veins record dynamic interplay between plate-cooling-induced cracking and ocean chemistry; Journal Title: Earth and Planetary Science Letters; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2024.119116; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.