The research expedition, involving Tsinghua University, the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, identified a large-scale hydrothermal field in the Western Pacific. The team conducted seven submersible dives in the back-arc basin within China's exclusive economic zone.
The mission utilized the Xiangyanghong 10 research vessel, which departed from Shenzhen on August 10 and lasted 18 days. Researchers previously identified dozens of hydrothermal vents at depths ranging from 700 to 1500 meters, with fluid temperatures exceeding 315 degrees Celsius.
The newly discovered site consists of three large cone-shaped sulfide deposits. Preliminary laboratory analysis confirms the presence of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite. Samples showed gold concentrations up to 15.4 ppm and silver concentrations up to 1271 ppm, exceeding typical land-based deposits.
