Fig. 1: Study area and geological context of serpentinite mud volcanism in the Mariana subduction system.
From: Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc
a Bathymetry map of the Mariana subduction system showing the incoming Pacific Plate, the overriding Philippine Sea Plate, the Mariana Trench, and a subset of the known serpentinite mud volcanoes on the forearc seafloor. Stars mark the locations of the Pacman and Subetbia mud volcanoes investigated in this study. Bathymetry from GEBCO Compilation Group125. b Bathymetry map showing the Pacman mud volcano and the location of gravity core GeoB24917-1 retrieved during expedition SO292/2. Bathymetric data collected during expedition SO292/226. c Schematic of serpentinite mud volcano formation, following serpentinization of the mantle wedge by slab-derived fluids, formation of H2 and CH4, and the rise of serpentinite mud and fluids through deep-seated faults towards the seafloor.
