• Earthquakes, Fluids and Gases in the Subduction Zone:
• Volcanism, Mineralization, Chemosynthesis, Microbial and Macrobiological Ecosystems in the Ridge Crest Rift Zone
• Mid Plate Processes and Deep Sea Ecology
• Oceanography, Ocean Climate, and Fisheries Science
• Dynamics of the Continental Margin and Coast
• Engineering and Computer Science
• Juan de Fuca Plate
  

Home What is NEPTUNE? Science Opportunities Education  and Public Outreach
Hazard Risk Assessment Express interest in NEPTUNE Canadian NEPTUNE Study
Industry Opportunities U.S. NEPTUNE Planning What's New

The success of the Canadian feasibility study depends on its ability to develop ideas for important and exciting scientific research. Areas already suggested in the U.S. planning process include:

Earthquakes, Fluids and Gases in the Subduction Zone:

The subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca Plate plunges under the North American plate, is representative of those regions which generate the world’s largest tsunami-producing earthquakes. An array of sensitive, bottom-mounted instruments could greatly increase understanding of subduction processes and improve estimates of seismic risks. Sediments scraped from subducting plates form large accretionary wedges attached to the continental landmass. Fluids moving within these sediments transport chemical compounds that assist in sediment diagenesis, hydrocarbon concentration and clathrate formation. Long-term time-series observations at deep-ocean sites could directly measure rates of transfer of these compounds into the water column.

Volcanism, Mineralization, Chemosynthesis, Microbial and Macrobiological Ecosystems in the Ridge Crest Rift Zone

The Juan de Fuca Ridge is one of the best natural laboratories for the study of the fundamental geological and biological processes on mid ocean ridges, which account for more than 60% of the world’s volcanic activity. Extensive fields of hot water vents support lush communities on and within the ocean crust and also influence the physics, chemistry and productivity of the overlying water column. Changes in the productivity of the water column in the deep ocean may extend tens to hundreds of kilometres away from the vent sites. Hot vent microbes have altered our understanding of the early evolution of life on Earth and how life can flourish in extreme environments. Some vent systems change relatively quickly. The Juan de Fuca system includes at least one active volcano, Axial Seamount, which appears to erupt every few years. NEPTUNE could permit monitoring of vent fields, volcanic activity and their effects on meaningful time scales, and allow immediate detection of events and a rapid response to them.

Mid Plate Processes and Deep Sea Ecology

The Juan de Fuca plate exhibits a range of sea floor characteristics, from rock near the ridge to deep sediment near the continental margin. Instrumented boreholes connected to the NEPTUNE array could provide long-term measurements of crustal responses to events and cyclic perturbations, while sea floor instruments could measure episodic and seasonal variations in nutrient fluxes, and other physical, chemical and biological parameters. Benthic 'rovers' based at NEPTUNE observatories could conduct periodic surveys of nearby areas.

Oceanography, Ocean Climate, and Fisheries Science

Eastern boundary upwelling regions are among the most productive parts of the ocean. Many of the processes responsible for this productivity are present in the area over the Juan de Fuca plate. It also includes the transition between sub-tropical and sub-arctic ecosystems, an area that is sensitive to changes in ocean climate. This region plays an important role in the dynamics of several important fish stocks, including Pacific salmon. An array of upward-looking sensors and vertical profilers linked along the NEPTUNE network could provide a synoptic view of internal ocean conditions and their variations on decadal scales which would otherwise be impossible to gather. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles based at the NEPTUNE observatories could conduct regular surveys and would have the ability to respond to specific events. Through acoustic and optical sensors NEPTUNE could provide a real-time window on biological processes, from zooplankton abundance to tracking and assessment of commercial pelagic fish. Weather buoys and other weather observing system could also be linked to shore via NEPTUNE.

Dynamics of the Continental Margin and Coast

The margins of the continents are shaped by sediment transported across the continental shelves and down over the shelf edge. This process carries organic and inorganic material into the deep ocean, including carbon and anthropogenic pollutants. It often involves episodic, violent phenomena like turbidity currents and slumps. The NEPTUNE area includes the largest source of sediment to the Pacific between Alaska and South America, the Eel River in Northern California. Cabled observatories with ample electrical power and control from shore could provide real time observations of particulate fluxes and related water movements and permit quick response to events, independent of weather.

Engineering and Computer Science

With its undersea location, distributed network organization, remotely operated observing systems, 20 year design life, and large and diverse data stream, NEPTUNE offers many unique opportunities for research in engineering and computer science. These include:

• reliable distributed computing networks
• power supplies and power management
• data and image preprocessing and transmission
• autonomous vehicles and remotely operated systems

If you are interested in participating in the NEPTUNE project please let us know.