MoMARETO: a cruise dedicated to the spatio-temporal dynamics and the adaptations of hydrothermal vent fauna on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Abstract

The Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR), located close to the Azores Truple Junction (ATJ), has beene extensively studied over the past 15 years. Over ten cruises were conducted in the area, leading to the discovery of three major vent fields - Menez Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow -, located on three segments of the south-eastern limb of the ATJ (Ondréas et al. 1997).