Abundance of Hydrothermal Mineral Deposits on Seamounts Inferred From Seamounts Petrologic Characteristics and Abundances

In this short paper we attempt to make crude estimates of the amounts of sulfide mineral precipitates on off-ridge seamounts relative to the amounts precipitated from ridge crest hydrothermal systems. While adequate data for such an estimate are largely lacking at present, seamount sulfide deposits probably represent about 10% of the amount generated at the mid ocean ridges on a global basis. This estimate is based on known characteristics of seamounts, their sulfide deposits and petrology but requires using several untested assumptions. The probable variety of hydrothermal and metallogenetic phenomena associated with off-ridge volcanism is scientifically very interesting and the generally shallower depths of seamount sulfide deposits may make them attractive as a resource.