Near shore submarine hydrothermal activity in Bahia Banderas, western Mexico

Abstract

Shallow submarine hydrothermal activity was detected in the Bahia de Banderas area, Mexico. Volcanic-type tremors were recorded by portable seismological stations onshore. Vent samples suggest a depositional sequence dominated by carbonates in the first stage (calcite and dolomite), followed by apatite and late barite veins. Layers of sequential deposition of sulfides were also observed, and are interpreted as cyclic variations of sulphur fugacity.