Maw of the World

The Great Basin Oceanic Ridge, colloquially known as the Maw of the World, is a divergent plate boundary forming new oceanic crust as the plates spread apart from one another, running through the entire Great Basin Ocean, north and south. Massive upwellings of magma from the deep fissure between these two plates form a vast broken chain of mountain ranges piercing through the oceans surface, not unlike a toothy maw through gums. These mountain ranges, one on either side of the fissure, processing east and west respectively, eventually wearing down to vanish beneath the waves once again.

Oceanic vents dot the bases of these mountain ranges, as well as the volcanic arcs formed where each dense oceanic plate dives beneath less dense plates, pushing up the less dense material, creating volcanic mountain ranges near these convergent boundaries.

Geography

Beneath the waves, the Great Basin Oceanic Ridge reveals a deep rift valley crosscut by transform faults, fracture zones, offsetting ridge crests and their corresponding mountain peaks from one another, creating a long chain of relatively short unconnected ridge peaks, or lines. These transform faults more than the spreading zones create numerous earthquakes.

Phenomena around this region include volcanism and hydrothermal vents. Volcanoes or volcanic ridges are common along the oceanic ridge, as are active seafloor fissures and faults, all of which lends to the direct creation of the central rift valley and the mountains flanking the rift valley. Hydrothermal vent upwelling are localized discharges of heated saltwater, often reaching temperatures of 400 °C (752 °F). Heated waters carry copper, iron, silcate, and zinc sulfide minerals from the crust, depositing them on the ocean floor. Finally, verified massive magma chambers lie beneath portions of the Great Basin Oceanic Ridge. Detection of these magma chambers place them roughly 1.5 km (0.9 mi) below the seafloor

Ecosystem

One of the primary determinants of ocean chemistry, hydrothermal vents explain a wide range of phenomena previously unexplained, including the origins of the significant quantities of silicon dioxide present in Maka oceans. Furthermore, like their counterparts on land, ocean vents are geysers and hot springs on the ocean floor, serving as fuel (food) source for distinct organisms that form the basis for wholly self-contained and intricate ecosystems. Thriving around hydrothermal vents, dense fields of chemosynthetic bacteria and archaea, form the foundation of sunless food chains, diverse communities, which feed upon the bacteria and archaea. Belief suggest that areas around ocean vents are among the most biologically divers and productive areas on Maka, though little is known about vents assemble, recruit, spread, and maintain themselves.

Localized Phenomena

Weather, specifically reduced visibility, along the Great Basin Ridge, challenges navigation and safety. This is a highly active volcanic region, as is much of the arc of the ocean shores, with startling inconsistent and irregular eruptions of varying sizes. Commonly at least some portion of this zone is spewing forth volatile gasses or lava, forever changing the navigable paths; winds have dashed countless vessels upon the rocky and lifeless shores of the Maw of the World – eating it does…

Alternative Name(s)

Great Basin Oceanic Ridge

Type

Volcano

Location under

Maka