The MOMAR area: a prime candidate for development of a seafloor observatory

The MOMAR region of the mid-Atlantic ridge is arguably one of the best sites for a submarine multidisciplinary observatory. The reasons for this include a unique geological setting, intense and varied hydrothermal activity and abundant and dynamic ecosystems (hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal). From a logistics point of view, the region is also ideal, given proximity to the Azores islands. Additionally, there is ample Portuguese interest in developing the observatory as a major opportunity to foster international collaboration in deep-sea marine science. The observatory could contribute with major advances in a wide spectrum of scientific issues and to socially important objectives such as earthquake and volcanic eruption prediction and monitoring, to clarify environmental toxicity issues and to understanding resource (or possible future resource) systems including fisheries, mineral resources, biomolecules.