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- Hydrothermal Vents - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
What are Hydrothermal Vents? In 1977, scientists made a stunning discovery on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean: vents pouring hot, mineral-rich fluids from beneath the seafloor
- The Cauldron Beneath the Seafloor - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Just over 20 years ago, scientists exploring the mid-ocean ridge system first made the spectacular discovery of black smokers—hydrothermal chimneys made of metal sulfide minerals that vigorously discharge hot, dark, particulate-laden fluids into the ocean
- The Discovery of Hydrothermal Vents - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Hydrothermal vents form in volcanic areas where subseafloor chambers of rising magma create undersea mountain ranges known as mid-ocean ridges Cold seawater seeps into cracks in the seafloor and can be heated up to a raging 750° F (400° C) by interacting with magma-heated subsurface rocks The heat stimulates chemical reactions that pull in minerals and chemicals from the rocks, before the
- Importance of Hydrothermal Vents : Seawater Chemistry
The discovery of hydrothermal vents showed us a previously unknown way to change the chemistry of the oceans by adding and removing elements (Illustration by E Paul Oberlander, WHOI Graphics Services) Click to enlarge » Chemical reactions in hydrothermal vent systems are a source of elements (positive values) leaching from the ocean crust to the ocean, and a sink (negative values) for
- The Importance of Hydrothermal Vents
The Importance of Hydrothermal Vents Hydrothermal vents act as natural plumbing systems that transport heat and chemicals from the interior of the Earth and that help regulate global ocean chemistry In the process, they accumulate vast amounts of potentially valuable minerals on the seafloor
- Hydrothermal Vents – Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Just over 20 years ago, scientists exploring the mid-ocean ridge system first made the spectacular discovery of black smokers—hydrothermal chimneys made of metal sulfide minerals that vigorously discharge hot, dark, particulate-laden fluids into the ocean
- Exploring Hydrothermal Vents : Vent Biology - Woods Hole Oceanographic . . .
Hydrothermal Vent Biogeography Since the discovery of animal communities thriving around seafloor hydrothermal vents in 1977, scientists have found that distinct vent animal species reside in different regions along the volcanic 40,000-mile Mid-Ocean Ridge mountain chain that encircles the globe Scientists are investigating clues to explain how populations are connected, how they diverged and
- Life at Vents Seeps - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps are places where chemical-rich fluids emanate from the seafloor, often providing the energy to sustain lush communities of life in some very harsh environments
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