79
4 Characteristics and Formation Process
the sediments that act as a screen and trap for metals. The Ocean Drilling Program
(ODP) in 1996 (LEG-ODP 169) demonstrated the importance of these traps for the
formation of sulphide deposits (Fig. 4.8). This drilling campaign revealed one of
the largest deposits currently known in the oceans. Estimations, obtained by threedimensional sampling, reached almost 15 million tonnes of mineral ore, particularly
rich in copper and zinc. The programme also demonstrated that a large share of
mineral deposits do not form at the surface but deeper down.
Fig. 4.7 Hydrothermal sites along the North Atlantic Ridge (Fouquet et al., 2010)
4 Characteristics and Formation Process
the sediments that act as a screen and trap for metals. The Ocean Drilling Program
(ODP) in 1996 (LEG-ODP 169) demonstrated the importance of these traps for the
formation of sulphide deposits (Fig. 4.8). This drilling campaign revealed one of
the largest deposits currently known in the oceans. Estimations, obtained by threedimensional sampling, reached almost 15 million tonnes of mineral ore, particularly
rich in copper and zinc. The programme also demonstrated that a large share of
mineral deposits do not form at the surface but deeper down.
Fig. 4.7 Hydrothermal sites along the North Atlantic Ridge (Fouquet et al., 2010)