Sign of volcanic eruption under the sea of ​​Labrador

Scientists from Alfred Wegener Academy have studied the geology of the seabed in Labrador Sea using research vessel Maria S. Merian. They studied the famous Eirik glacial sediment range at the southern tip of Greenland, a structure hundreds of kilograms in length like a chain.They found an undersea mountain at the southwestern edge of the area showing signs of volcanic eruptions in the past few million years.

Eirik's glacial sediment band lies 2500 on the seabed at Greenland's southern tip. Sediments have deposited in this area for the past 10 million years, forming a ridge-like structure. These sediments are eroded by sea currents in the Greenland Sea and settled on Labrador Sea. This is also the case of sand movement due to currents in the sea, for example in Sylt. Due to climate change - the transition from a warmer time to our present climate - flows flow and change its power. In addition, icebergs carry rock material from Greendland to the sea floor. Glaciers take stone materials from the island, and when separated into icebergs that have deposited this material throughout the sea.Due to the continuous expansion and melting of the ice surface in glacial geological cycles and glacial ice, the material also reached the Eirik glacial sediment range.

Therefore, Eirik is a place to 'store' activity of Greenland's western flow and the dynamics of ice covering Greenland. Climate change and displacement of flow in the past 10 million years can be studied here. The first results show that the glacial sediment band shifted quite a bit to the north and west. This event happened 5.6 million years ago. The sediment band can be observed during the pre-event period, but the speed and path of the currents has changed drastically. Researchers will be able to further analyze these data with computer models in order to describe these changes in more detail.

Members of a geological research team deploying 3000 meters long underwater listening cable are used to receive seismic signals. (Photo: Ronald Freibothe, Afred Wegener Academy)

The researchers discovered something unexpected until seismic research used a 3,000-meter recording cable. Dr. Gabriele Uenzelmann-Neben from the Academy Afred Wegener said: 'Amazingly, a high-unknown area appears in the sub-surface images of the western region of the Eirik glacier bandage. , almost going through the sediment. The layers of sediment are disturbed '. This area, known by researchers as Mount Maria S. Merian, is about 1,500 meters high - close to Feldberg in the Black Forest. This undersea mountain was formed by volcanic activity that pushed sediments upward. Even the smallest sediment clusters are affected by this shift.

Therefore, it can be concluded that this is an event that occurred in the past few million years. This result changes the picture of regional geological development outside the Labrador Sea. Until now, scientists believe that the formation of the seabed at Labrador Sea (stratigraphic activity) ended about 45 million years ago.Detecting the undersea mountain indicates that the seabed just outside Labrador waters has changed at times closer than previously thought. Significant changes in the seabed have an impact on the circulation of deep water.

RV Adventure Maria S. Merian, led by Leitstelle Merian, began June 17, 2009 in Reykjavik and ended July 13.