1 IntroductionMetalliferous sediments and mounds occur in all majortectonic settings in the oceans (e.g., the Galapagos Rift,East Pacific Rise (EPR), Bauer Deep and Central Basin ofthe Pacific; Heath and Dymond, 1977). Further, massivesulphide deposits and high-temperature vents have beenreported along the mid-ocean ridges (MOR). In the IndianOcean, an inactive hydrothermal field and a hydrothermalplume site have been discovered along the Central IndianRidge (CIR). The SONNE Hydro…