Hydrothermal Vent

News: Indian oceanographers have reached a significant milestone by capturing an image of an active hydrothermal vent situated 4,500 meters beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean.

About Hydrothermal Vent

• Hydrothermal vents are underwater springs that form in tectonically active areas where seawater interacts with magma below the ocean floor.
• Location– Ridges, For ex. Central and Southern Ridge of the Indian Ocean, Convergent plate boundaries, Volcanic hotspots, Ocean trenches
• Formation:
  • Cold Water Entry: Seawater at about 2°C seeps into cracks in the ocean crust caused by tectonic activity.
  • Heating by Magma: The water is heated to extreme temperatures (up to 370°C) upon contact with magma.
  • Chimney Formation: As the hot water meets cold seawater, minerals solidify, forming chimney-like structures around the vents.
• Significance:
  • Mineral deposits: The deposits from hydrothermal venting are generally rich in copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, nickel and other economically-beneficial minerals and metals.
  • Ecological insights: Hydrothermal vents host unique ecosystems relying on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis. These ecosystems support a variety of organisms, such as giant tube worms, vent crabs, clams, and shrimp, many of which are found nowhere else.
  • Scientific Research: Provides insights into deep-sea geological processes and the potential for resources, supporting strategic initiatives like India’s Deep Ocean Mission.