Studies of hydrothermal processes in Crater Lake: A report of field studies conducted in 1987 for Crater Lake National Park [final report]
Collier RW and Dymond J. 1988. Studies of hydrothermal processes in Crater Lake: A report of field studies conducted in 1987 for Crater Lake National Park [final report]. Cooperative Agreement CA 9000-3-0003. Subagreement 22. OSU Oceanography Ref. No. 88-5. College of Oceanography, Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR
"Evidence from the 1987 field season strongly supports the presence of hydrothermal input to the bottom of Crater Lake. The exact nature of the thermal discharge, however, is still uncertain. We observed many locations with hydrothermal precipitates and diffuse flow at two sites. These observations are compatible with disperse flow through sediments from a number of vent sites. With this type of discharge the absolute temperature of the vent water may be low. Alternatively, there may be localized inputs of hotter water which follow conduits created by faulting in the region. The form of the temperature vs depth profiles that we observe is compatible with this interpretation. In either case it is clear that thermal waters, which carry elevated concentrations of dissolved metals and other salts, are entering the lake. These hydrothermal waters may significantly affect the rate at which the deep lake mixes with the upper levels of the lake, and in doing so, could have an important bearing on the biological productivity maintained by the lake. Future studies, which would allow more thorough mapping of the thermal features of the lake and actual sampling of the venting fluids, will be necessary to understand the full significance of this hydrothermal activity on the chemistry, biology and physics of the lake."
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Collier, Robert; Dymond, Jack
- Date of Issue
- 1988-06-15
- Publisher
- College of Oceanography, Oregon State University
- Units
- CRLA , WRD
- Keywords
- Aquatic Sciences, Caldera Lakes, Chemistry, Clarity (Water), Crater Lake, Hydrothermal Activity, Lakes & Ponds, Limnology, Photographs, Sediment, Water Quality, WRBIB