Thermal response of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems to perturbations

Mid-ocean ridges are subject to episodic disturbances in the form of magmatic intrusions and earthquakes. Following these events, the temperature of associated hydrothermal vent fluids is observed to increase within a few days. In this paper, we aim to understand the rapid thermal response of hydrothermal systems to such disturbances. We construct a classic single-pass numerical model and use the examples of the 1995 and 1999 non-eruptive events at East Pacific Rise (EPR) 9°50′N and Main Endeavour Field (MEF), respectively. We model both the thermal effects of dikes and permeability changes that might be attributed to diking and/or earthquake swarms. We find that the rapid response of vent temperatures results from steep thermal gradients close to the surface. When the perturbations are accompanied by an increase in permeability, the response on the surface is further enhanced. For EPR9°50′N, the observed ~7°C rise can be obtained for a ~50% increase in permeability in the diking zone. The mass flow rate increases as a result of change in permeability deeper in the system, and, therefore, the amount of hot fluid in the diffused flow also increases. Using a thermal energy balance, we show that the ~10°C increase in diffuse flow temperatures recorded for MEF after the 1999 event may result from a 3–4 times increase in permeability. The rapid thermal response of the system resulting from a change in permeability also occurs for cases in which there is no additional heat input, indicating that hydrothermal systems may respond similarly to purely seismic and non-eruptive magmatic events.