Maximum heat flow measurements at three locations in the sediment-filled Escanaba Trough of the Gorda ridge exceed 1200 mW/m2. At other ridge crests with thick sediment cover, heat flow values of this magnitude are accompanied by high temperature hydrothermal vent activity and massive sulfide deposition. A dredge haul from the southernmost high heat flow location recovered pyrrhotite, thereby confirming the presence of recent high temperature venting.