Scope

New research foci have emerged in the last decade regarding hydrothermal systems. Addressing links between tectonic complexities and magmatic-hydrothermal processes, characterizing hydrothermal contributions to global ocean budgets (e.g. heat, carbon, iron) and associated ecosystem functions, stability and resilience in a wider deep-sea context have inspired a growing number of studies. In parallel, methodological and knowledge needs to support biodiversity inventory, mineral resource exploration, conservation plans and environmental impact assessments have risen. These new challenges emphasized significant gaps in our knowledge of hydrothermal systems and how they interact with other ocean components. While major geological, biological and ecological processes have been elucidated, the temporal dynamics and long-range interactions are still unconstrained for the vast majority of highly diverse hydrothermal settings. A substantial effort, bridging different basic science fields, is still needed to build an integrated vision of hydrothermal processes over space and time, on which quantitative approaches and predictive models should be based.

Through its 4^th Theoretical Institute, InterRidge aims at fostering this momentum, by identifying most critical fundamental research questions and by offering the opportunity to share knowledge on emerging issues, new technologies, interdisciplinary challenges including capacity building and methods/tools sharing across disciplines. Bringing together ideas, concepts, expertise and know-how will help developing strategies to fill remaining gaps, and promoting the transfer of knowledge to address questions related to the human global footprint on the ocean. Since 1992, InterRidge is committed to support the advancement of fundamental knowledge, promoting international and cross-disciplinary exchanges and developing synergies with other disciplines and across thematic fields. The Theoretical Institute will contribute setting the scene for its upcoming 4th decade plan and ensure that the growing community of scientists interested in vent systems has access to suitable basic information, while strengthening international collaboration in Mid-Ocean Ridges and Arc & Back-Arc systems research.

Scientific committee: Nadine Le Bris (CNRS & Sorbonne U.), Jérôme Dyment (CNRS & IPGP), Melissa Anderson (U. Toronto), Philipp Brandl (GEOMAR), Cédric Hamelin (U. Bergen), Stéphane Hourdez (CNRS), Shinsuke Kawagucci (JAMSTEC).

Local organization committee: Nadine Le Bris, Kamil Szafranski

Registration is now open. Please click here to register. Deadline for registration: 8th September 2019