Once the
superheated hydrothermal fluid exits the seafloor, it mixes with the cold deep
seawater and cools down rapidly. As a result of the mixing process, a lot of
dissolved chemicals precipitate out in the form of suspending particles. A
major composition of those particles is metal sulfides and anhydrite. Depending
on the composition of the particles, hydrothermal plumes may look black (iron
sulfide dominates, ‘black smokers’), white (anhydrite dominates, ‘white
smokers’) or transparent (no or low particle concentration, ‘diffuse flows’). Here in the Endeavour Ridge, there is lots of iron sulfide coming out, which creates magnificent black smoke views!
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| Black smoke in a hydrothermal vent |
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| Black smoke by the hydrothermal vent chimney |
I think, hydrothermal vents are one of the wonders of the world! It really feels like being on a different planet!
Here, you can go to a short trip down to the amazing hydrothermal vents!
Have fun!
Goksenin Sen
Marine Educator
Photo Credits: CSSF-ROPOS/NEPTUNE Canada
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