Hydrothermal Vents
Vent Basics:
* Explain the process of a BLACK SMOKER
Although it is called a "Black Smoker" it actually is pouring out a hydrothermal fluid that is so hot(350 to 400), it can melt metal. The fluid carries dissolved metals from the deep beneath the ocean floor. When the fluid mixes with the sea water, these metals combine with sulfur to form tiny black particles. These particles make the fluid look like smoke.
Vent Boiling Points:
* Explain why the boiling point of water changes with depth in the ocean.
Because the further you go down in the ocean the higher the pressure increases. Since all that water pressure is pushing down the boiling point there fore increase with depth.
Vent Chemistry:
* Explain how the water chemistry changes in the hydrothermal vent system
The hydrothermal fluids exit the chimney and mix with the cold seawater.
As the hydrothermal vents throw hot water into the ocean, it also changes the ocean's chemistry. As the water gets superheated, it dissolves minerals and metals into the solution, releasing them up into the ocean, which changes it's chemistry entirely.
Vents Around the World:
* Where can hydrothermal vents be found? Give a few examples:
Hydrothermal vents only occur in places of volcanic activity, where the magma is close enough to the surface to heat the water. They are mostly located along faults and deep sea trenches, however a few are on land, such as in Yellowstone National Park in the US.
Vent Life:
*Name some of the critters found around hydrothermal vent systems:
Many organisms live around hydrothermal vents. Hydrothermal vents are practically their own ecosystem, with many well-adapted life forms living there. Pictured to the left are tube worms, worms that live in shells made of chitin that use bacteria living inside of them to survive through a symbiotic relationship, where the bacteria turn the minerals into sugars which the worms eat. Other organisms include shrimp, mussels, clams, octopi, deep sea fish, and crabs. Octopi and Zoarcad fish are on the top of the food chain in the vent ecosystem.
Tubeworm Anatomy:
* Describe the tubeworm anatomy. Explain the symbiotic relationships that are found within tubeworms.
The tube is made out of a hard substance called chitin, the same material found in the outer skeletons of crabs and shrimp. The tubes protect the worms from predators and the toxic chemicals from the vents. They also serve as an outer skeleton, supporting the worm. A worm can never leave its tube.
Chemosynthesis:
* Explain the different between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis:
In chemosynthesis, organisms use minerals in the water to survive. They use the minerals and turn them into energy through chemical reactions, as opposed to plants, which through photosynthesis, use light to make sugars to survive.
Hot Topics on Vent Science:
* Pick ONE Hot Topic to report on.
* Explain the process of a BLACK SMOKER
Although it is called a "Black Smoker" it actually is pouring out a hydrothermal fluid that is so hot(350 to 400), it can melt metal. The fluid carries dissolved metals from the deep beneath the ocean floor. When the fluid mixes with the sea water, these metals combine with sulfur to form tiny black particles. These particles make the fluid look like smoke.
Vent Boiling Points:
* Explain why the boiling point of water changes with depth in the ocean.
Because the further you go down in the ocean the higher the pressure increases. Since all that water pressure is pushing down the boiling point there fore increase with depth.
Vent Chemistry:
* Explain how the water chemistry changes in the hydrothermal vent system
The hydrothermal fluids exit the chimney and mix with the cold seawater.
As the hydrothermal vents throw hot water into the ocean, it also changes the ocean's chemistry. As the water gets superheated, it dissolves minerals and metals into the solution, releasing them up into the ocean, which changes it's chemistry entirely.
Vents Around the World:
* Where can hydrothermal vents be found? Give a few examples:
Hydrothermal vents only occur in places of volcanic activity, where the magma is close enough to the surface to heat the water. They are mostly located along faults and deep sea trenches, however a few are on land, such as in Yellowstone National Park in the US.
Vent Life:
*Name some of the critters found around hydrothermal vent systems:
Many organisms live around hydrothermal vents. Hydrothermal vents are practically their own ecosystem, with many well-adapted life forms living there. Pictured to the left are tube worms, worms that live in shells made of chitin that use bacteria living inside of them to survive through a symbiotic relationship, where the bacteria turn the minerals into sugars which the worms eat. Other organisms include shrimp, mussels, clams, octopi, deep sea fish, and crabs. Octopi and Zoarcad fish are on the top of the food chain in the vent ecosystem.
Tubeworm Anatomy:
* Describe the tubeworm anatomy. Explain the symbiotic relationships that are found within tubeworms.
The tube is made out of a hard substance called chitin, the same material found in the outer skeletons of crabs and shrimp. The tubes protect the worms from predators and the toxic chemicals from the vents. They also serve as an outer skeleton, supporting the worm. A worm can never leave its tube.
Chemosynthesis:
* Explain the different between photosynthesis and chemosynthesis:
In chemosynthesis, organisms use minerals in the water to survive. They use the minerals and turn them into energy through chemical reactions, as opposed to plants, which through photosynthesis, use light to make sugars to survive.
Hot Topics on Vent Science:
* Pick ONE Hot Topic to report on.
Introduction to Mid-Ocean Ridges (3-19-13)
1: Who is NOAA?
Is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; it is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce. They serve as indicators when dangerous weather is imminent, they also chart seas and skies as well guide the use and protection of the ocean and coastal resources.
2: What is the mid-ocean ridge system? What happens there?
The Mid Ocean Ridge is a 65,000 km long series of seafloor spreading centers where new earth is created. As well as a term for the underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges formed by plate tectonics where seafloor is spread.
3: How long/wide the is mid-ocean ridge system? Where is it located?
The Mid Ocean Ridge system is a 80,000 km and is located in all parts of the ocean that have two tectonic plates that meet underwater.
4: What type of plate boundary forms a mid-ocean ridge system? Explain.
A Mid-Ocean ridge is the boundary between two tectonic plates and is the term for a divergent plate boundary. They are formed when the two plates separate and release magma.
5: Explain how ridges form:
The uplifted seafloor results from convection currents which rise in the mantle as magma at a linear weakness in the oceanic crust, and emerge as lava, creating new crust upon cooling. A mid-ocean ridge demarcates the boundary between two tectonic plates, and consequently is termed a divergent plate boundary.
6: What forms most of the ocean crust?
Mid-ocean ridges are geologically active, with new magma constantly emerging onto the ocean floor and into the crust at and near rifts along the ridge axes. The crystallized magma forms new crust of basalt (known as MORB for Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) and gabbro.
7: How does hot lava respond to cold sea water? (Pillow Basalt)
Basalt dikes typically comprise the lower 7-9 km of oceanic crust. On top of the dikes lies a relatively thin (1-3 km) veneer of erupted material known as pillow basalt. Sea floor eruptions occur from long fissures and undersea volcanoes that line the sides and bottom of the rift valley. Lavas pour from the fissures and across the surface of the seafloor, adding a thin coat of new lava
8: What is happening at the Juan de Fuca Ridge?
At the Juan de Fuca Ridge the spreading process creates an average width of (c) 6 m of new crust every 100 years.
9: What does the rate of spreading dictate? 10: How hot can sea water be heated to at the mid-oceanic ridges?
The rate of spreading influences the topography of the ridge. A slowly spreading ridge displays a steep irregular topography and is relatively narrow, In contrast, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge separating South America and Africa is spreading 3-4 cm/yr, producing a much wider profile and more gentle slopes.
11: Explain how HYDROTHERMAL Vents are formed:
Mid-oceanic ridges are laced with fractures and intruded by magma. Seawater seeps into the oceanic crust and becomes extremely hot, as much as 400°C. The superheated water dissolves minerals and carries them along as it circulates through the crust. Eventually the mineral-laden water rises back out of the crust, boiling into the bottom of the sea through ocean floor hot springs.
12: Why is the hot mineral water so important? What do they support?
Some of these hot mineral water nourishes a bizarre fauna, completely independent of solar energy that exists only at hydro-thermal vents.
13: What is chemosynthesis? How does it differ from photosynthesis?
Chemosynthesis is the biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules (usually carbon dioxide or methane) and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules (e.g. hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide) or methane as a source of energy, rather than sunlight, as in photosynthesis.
Is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; it is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce. They serve as indicators when dangerous weather is imminent, they also chart seas and skies as well guide the use and protection of the ocean and coastal resources.
2: What is the mid-ocean ridge system? What happens there?
The Mid Ocean Ridge is a 65,000 km long series of seafloor spreading centers where new earth is created. As well as a term for the underwater mountain system that consists of various mountain ranges formed by plate tectonics where seafloor is spread.
3: How long/wide the is mid-ocean ridge system? Where is it located?
The Mid Ocean Ridge system is a 80,000 km and is located in all parts of the ocean that have two tectonic plates that meet underwater.
4: What type of plate boundary forms a mid-ocean ridge system? Explain.
A Mid-Ocean ridge is the boundary between two tectonic plates and is the term for a divergent plate boundary. They are formed when the two plates separate and release magma.
5: Explain how ridges form:
The uplifted seafloor results from convection currents which rise in the mantle as magma at a linear weakness in the oceanic crust, and emerge as lava, creating new crust upon cooling. A mid-ocean ridge demarcates the boundary between two tectonic plates, and consequently is termed a divergent plate boundary.
6: What forms most of the ocean crust?
Mid-ocean ridges are geologically active, with new magma constantly emerging onto the ocean floor and into the crust at and near rifts along the ridge axes. The crystallized magma forms new crust of basalt (known as MORB for Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) and gabbro.
7: How does hot lava respond to cold sea water? (Pillow Basalt)
Basalt dikes typically comprise the lower 7-9 km of oceanic crust. On top of the dikes lies a relatively thin (1-3 km) veneer of erupted material known as pillow basalt. Sea floor eruptions occur from long fissures and undersea volcanoes that line the sides and bottom of the rift valley. Lavas pour from the fissures and across the surface of the seafloor, adding a thin coat of new lava
8: What is happening at the Juan de Fuca Ridge?
At the Juan de Fuca Ridge the spreading process creates an average width of (c) 6 m of new crust every 100 years.
9: What does the rate of spreading dictate? 10: How hot can sea water be heated to at the mid-oceanic ridges?
The rate of spreading influences the topography of the ridge. A slowly spreading ridge displays a steep irregular topography and is relatively narrow, In contrast, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge separating South America and Africa is spreading 3-4 cm/yr, producing a much wider profile and more gentle slopes.
11: Explain how HYDROTHERMAL Vents are formed:
Mid-oceanic ridges are laced with fractures and intruded by magma. Seawater seeps into the oceanic crust and becomes extremely hot, as much as 400°C. The superheated water dissolves minerals and carries them along as it circulates through the crust. Eventually the mineral-laden water rises back out of the crust, boiling into the bottom of the sea through ocean floor hot springs.
12: Why is the hot mineral water so important? What do they support?
Some of these hot mineral water nourishes a bizarre fauna, completely independent of solar energy that exists only at hydro-thermal vents.
13: What is chemosynthesis? How does it differ from photosynthesis?
Chemosynthesis is the biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules (usually carbon dioxide or methane) and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules (e.g. hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide) or methane as a source of energy, rather than sunlight, as in photosynthesis.
Introduction to Plate Tectonics (3-18-13)
1: How many earthquakes occur every year around the world?
An average of 2,000 strong earthquakes and large eruptions occur every year all around the world.
2: What is the Tectonics Theory? Explain.
Plate tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth (the lithosphere) is divided into a couple of dozen "plates" that move around across the earth's surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake. Both earthquakes and volcanoes are largely restricted to narrow, overlapping zones.
3: Where do the Tectonic forces originate?
The tectonic forces originate deep within the planet. Dissipation of heat from the mantle is known to be the original source of energy driving the plates. They also move because of the relative density of the oceanic lithosphere and the relative weakness of the asthenosphere thus creating subduction zones.
4: What are Earth’s 3 main layers?
there are three main internal layers.
*. Central Core
*. Thick Mantle
*. Very thin Outer Crust
5: Where is Tectonic activity concentrated?
Tectonic activity is concentrated in the upper 700 kilometers of the planet, which includes the uppermost mantle and the crust.
6: What is the Lithosphere? Where is it located?
The lithosphere is the outer mantle and the crust fused together in a 100 km thick zone. The lithosphere encases the entire earth but is broken up into pieces or plates that are constantly hitting or rubbing against one another.
7: What is the Asthenosphere? Why is it important to plate tectonics?
The asthenosphere is a solid but soft layer located in the upper mantle. The asthenosphere is squishy and can be deformed and is able to flow very slowly, which allow the heavy plates to literally float on top of it. Heat from the core stirs the asthenosphere which in result circulates its contents which allow the plates to move along with it.
8: How fast do plates move (average?)
The speed at which the plates move are compared to the speed at which human fingernails grow at. The lateral relative movement of the plates typically varies from zero to 100 mm annually.
9: What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?
*Transform Boundaries(conservative): occur where the plates slide, or grind past each other along transform boundaries. ex. San Andreas Fault line in California
*Divergent boundaries(constructive): occur where two plates slide apart from each other; mid-ocean ridges and active zones of rifting are prime examples.
*Convergent Boundaries(destructive): occur when two plates slide towards each other commonly forming either a subduction zone(when one plate slides under the other) or a continental collision (if two plates contain continental crust)
10: What happens at Divergent Boundaries? Where are these mostly located?
Is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other; when this happens on a continent they form rifts, valleys. But the most commonly occurring are between oceanic plates and exists as mid-ocean ridges.
11: What kind of rock is Oceanic Crust made of?
The magma or molten rock rises from the mantle oozes up into the gap and hardens into solid rock forming new crust on the torn edges of the plate, magma from the mantle solidifies into Basalt , a dark, dense rock that underlies the ocean floor.
An average of 2,000 strong earthquakes and large eruptions occur every year all around the world.
2: What is the Tectonics Theory? Explain.
Plate tectonics is the theory that the outer rigid layer of the earth (the lithosphere) is divided into a couple of dozen "plates" that move around across the earth's surface relative to each other, like slabs of ice on a lake. Both earthquakes and volcanoes are largely restricted to narrow, overlapping zones.
3: Where do the Tectonic forces originate?
The tectonic forces originate deep within the planet. Dissipation of heat from the mantle is known to be the original source of energy driving the plates. They also move because of the relative density of the oceanic lithosphere and the relative weakness of the asthenosphere thus creating subduction zones.
4: What are Earth’s 3 main layers?
there are three main internal layers.
*. Central Core
*. Thick Mantle
*. Very thin Outer Crust
5: Where is Tectonic activity concentrated?
Tectonic activity is concentrated in the upper 700 kilometers of the planet, which includes the uppermost mantle and the crust.
6: What is the Lithosphere? Where is it located?
The lithosphere is the outer mantle and the crust fused together in a 100 km thick zone. The lithosphere encases the entire earth but is broken up into pieces or plates that are constantly hitting or rubbing against one another.
7: What is the Asthenosphere? Why is it important to plate tectonics?
The asthenosphere is a solid but soft layer located in the upper mantle. The asthenosphere is squishy and can be deformed and is able to flow very slowly, which allow the heavy plates to literally float on top of it. Heat from the core stirs the asthenosphere which in result circulates its contents which allow the plates to move along with it.
8: How fast do plates move (average?)
The speed at which the plates move are compared to the speed at which human fingernails grow at. The lateral relative movement of the plates typically varies from zero to 100 mm annually.
9: What are the 3 types of plate boundaries?
*Transform Boundaries(conservative): occur where the plates slide, or grind past each other along transform boundaries. ex. San Andreas Fault line in California
*Divergent boundaries(constructive): occur where two plates slide apart from each other; mid-ocean ridges and active zones of rifting are prime examples.
*Convergent Boundaries(destructive): occur when two plates slide towards each other commonly forming either a subduction zone(when one plate slides under the other) or a continental collision (if two plates contain continental crust)
10: What happens at Divergent Boundaries? Where are these mostly located?
Is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other; when this happens on a continent they form rifts, valleys. But the most commonly occurring are between oceanic plates and exists as mid-ocean ridges.
11: What kind of rock is Oceanic Crust made of?
The magma or molten rock rises from the mantle oozes up into the gap and hardens into solid rock forming new crust on the torn edges of the plate, magma from the mantle solidifies into Basalt , a dark, dense rock that underlies the ocean floor.