Imaging Active Hydrothermal Vents

27.12.2024

Imaging Active Hydrothermal Vents

Why in the news?                       

                 India's Deep Ocean Mission recently achieved a landmark by capturing high-resolution images of an active hydrothermal vent 4,500 meters below the Indian Ocean’s surface.

About Hydrothermal Vents:

• Hydrothermal vents are underwater hot springs near tectonic plate boundaries, expelling hot water and minerals from beneath the Earth's crust into the ocean.
• They were first identified in 1977 near the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Formation of the Hydrothermal Vents:

• Cold seawater (around 2°C) seeps through fissures in the oceanic crust near tectonic activity,
• The water then contacts hot magma, heating to temperatures up to 370°C or higher,
• Superheated water then resurfaces as mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids, forming vents and plumes.

Types of the Hydrothermal Vents:

• Black Smokers: Emit particle-laden fluids, primarily containing iron sulfides, forming black chimney-like structures
• White Smokers: Emit fluids rich in barium, calcium, and silicon, forming white chimneys

Significance of the Discovery for India:

• Mineral Exploration: Enhances India's capacity to explore and utilize deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide fields, vital for securing mineral resources.
• Support for Samudrayaan Mission: The findings strengthen India’s ambitious Samudrayaan Mission, focusing on mineral extraction from the deep ocean.
• Microbial Research: Offers insights into chemosynthetic organisms, broadening knowledge of deep-sea biology and potential biotechnological applications.

                                                                          Source: Indian Express

India's Deep Ocean Mission recently captured high-resolution images of an active hydrothermal vent at a depth of 4,500 meters in the Indian Ocean. Which of the following statements regarding hydrothermal vents is/are correct?

1. Hydrothermal vents are underwater hot springs formed when cold seawater interacts with hot magma beneath the Earth's crust.

2. They were first discovered in 1977 near the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C