Ridge 2000 is an interdisciplinary initiative to study Earth's oceanic spreading ridge system as an integrated whole, from its inception in the mantle to its manifestations in the biosphere and water column. The Ridge 2000 program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Featured paper:

Ferrini, V. L., M. K. Tivey, S. M. Carbotte, F. Martinez, and C. Roman (2008), Variable morphologic expression of volcanic, tectonic, and hydrothermal processes at six hydrothermal vent fields in the Lau back-arc basin, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 9, Q07022, doi:10.1029/2008GC002047.

Each month, we highlight a paper that demonstrates the integration and synthesis of data collected at mid-ocean ridges. To recommend a "Featured Paper", please contact the Ridge 2000 Program Office.
News
  • Report and video clips from Seafloor Mining Workshop (April 1-2, 2009)
    Friday, June 12, 2009
    A report from the Science and Policy Workshop, “Deep-Sea Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides: A Reality for Science and Society in the 21st Century” is available to download (pdf) on the workshop website on the “Science and Policy Workshop” page, under “Workshop Publications”. Video from the public portion (Morse Colloquium) of the Workshop is also available on the “Morss Colloquium Video Presentations” webpage of the same website.

  • Updated information about the Ridge 2000 Integration and Synthesis Workshop
    Friday, May 29, 2009

    The dates of the Ridge 2000 Workshop have been changed to October 1- 3, in order to help individuals who would like to also attend the MARGINS Theoretical and Experimental Institute (TEI): Volatiles in the Subduction Factory (Mt. Hood, Oregon; September 28- October 1, 2009).

    This workshop will focus on comparisons of results from interdisciplinary studies and models generated from the three Integrated Study Sites (ISS), Time Critical Studies, and research at other oceanic spreading centers. The goal of the meeting will be to integrate datasets and to synthesize conceptual and empirical models of oceanic spreading center processes. An important objective is to provide an opportunity for the Ridge 2000 community to discuss and develop cross-ISS and interdisciplinary papers that broaden the scope of individual Ridge 2000 studies. All participants will be required to submit an abstract, and there will be an emphasis on the poster session as a venue for presenting results of field programs, laboratory analyses, and models. Additional information about the Ridge 2000 Integration and Synthesis Workshop is available on the R2K website

  • Eruption confirmed at West Mata volcano (NE Lau Basin)
    Wednesday, May 6, 2009
    An eruption at the West Mata volcano (NE Lau Basin) was confirmed within the first 24 hours of the NSF Ridge 2000 & MARGINS and NOAA-OE-sponsored Eruption Response cruise (5-13 May). Pictures of the eruption have been posted on the cruise website. More information about the results of the cruise will made available on the Ridge 2000 and MARGINS websites.

  • Update from the Petrological Database- PetDB exceeds 1 million analytical values
    Friday, May 1, 2009
    PetDB, the Petrological Database of the Ocean Floor and the primary data repository for R2K relevant rock geochemical data, has been updated to include 40 new data sets (see the list on the PetDB website), bringing its content to 1,041,068 data points for 40,656 samples from 1,058 references. PetDB appreciates your feedback. Please send comments about missing data sets, erroneous data, and improvements to content and functionality of the data system to info@petdb.org. PetDB encourages you to contribute your geochemical data. For instructions, please go to Data>Contribute on PetDB’s web site menu or contact Kerstin Lehnert.

Upcoming Ridge-Relevant Meetings & Workshops
When What Where Deadlines
July 27–29, 2009 Melting, Magma, Fluids and Life: Challenges for the next generation of scientific ocean drilling into the oceanic lithosphere National Oceanographic Center, University of Southampton, UK NA
August 27–28, 2009 Scientific Ocean Drilling of Mid-Ocean Ridge and Ridge-Flank Settings Austin, Texas June 15, 2009
October 01–03, 2009 Ridge 2000 Workshop: Developing a holistic view of oceanic spreading center processes St. Louis, Missouri 2009-07-08
  Information about other meetings