| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Definition | ||
| Black smoker | Black smokers are a type of hydrothermal vent found on the ocean floor. Generally hundreds of meters wide, black smokers are formed when superheated water from below the Earth's crust comes through the ocean floor. They are rich in dissolved minerals from the crust, most notably sulfides, which crystallize to create a chimney-like structure around the vent. When the superheated water in the vent comes in contact with the frigid ocean water, many minerals are precipitated, creating the distinctive black color. The metal sulfides that are deposited can become massive sulfide ore deposits in time. (references) | ||
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Black Smoker | Administration | A vent in a geologically active region of the sea floor from which issues superheated water laden with minerals (as sulfide precipitates). (references) | |
| Black smoker | Geology | An undersea thermal vent emitting very hot (270-380 degrees C) water and minerals. (references) | |
| Black smoker | Mining | A hydrothermal vent at the crest of an oceanic ridge; e.g., the East Pacific Rise at the mouth of the Gulf of California. Waters blackened by sulfide precipitates jet out at 1 to 5 m/s at temperatures of at least 350 degrees C. The term refers to uprushing black turbulent suspension. Cf: white smoker. (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
