Viking,

The analogy with the red and green paint, and one being heavier than the other, was just to describe the differenec of how the sulphides and the chrome would flow through the conduits. I have no idea which is actually heavier. What causes the chrome to flow though the conduits and into the RoF is the fact that, due to its properties, it it does not cool and slow down the same way the sulphides do. I was told by Harvey that the sulphides will cool, slow, and crystalize more easily than the chrome, which is why they are more easily trapped in pools the conduits. The point it is the succeptibility to cooling that causes the deposition in the conduits, not the weight.

I think the assumption is that there will be numerous conduits, and I believe that E1, E2, and AT-12 are the 'result' of different conduits. It might be that E1 and E2 are associated with a common conduit, but I think that we really do not know yet. I think tere is still much to learn about the structure/properties of the conduits at the RoF, but it has been suggested (Harvey mentioned this) that they might trend north-south.

I am not sure what Prof. Mungall is thinking these days, but like any geologist, he will modify his thinking based on what he finds. So it is possible that his thinking has changed somewhat from what he originally theorized was taking place at the RoF. I do believe that they are looking for multiple conduits.

Regards,

B.