Finding a Vent

Debbie Mohamed

Finding A Vent

• How far below the surface are mid-ocean ridges?

I’m thinking probably 10 meters below the surface are mid-ocean ridges because in the prompt it stated the vent was 10 meters in height.

• What are deep-sea vents? Why are deep-sea vents found along mid-ocean ridges?

I remember one of my teachers saying that deep sea vents are usually found near volcanoes. The water coming out of the vents is usually very heated. Deep-sea vents are found along mid-ocean ridges because these are the locations where two tectonic plates are diverging and the new crust is being created. The seawater would travel upward and the temperature will drastically rise to the extreme.

• How do you think researchers study the bottom of the ocean from on board a ship? How else can they study the bottom of the ocean? How expensive might it be to conduct such a study?

I think researchers study the bottom of the ocean from on board a ship by sending down a vessel than can withstand the temperature and other conditions of the ocean. Also, there must be some form of a camera to view the scenes from underneath. I’m sure it would cost a lot of money to carry out such a study.

• How would marine researchers know where to look for hydrothermal vent sites? How could they be certain they’ve found a vent?

Marine researchers might know where to look for hydrothermal vent sites by searching where mid-ridges are located and volcanoes then check the temperature around the area to make certain they have found a vent.

After you’ve entered your thoughts about the above questions go to “The Library” section of the interactive and work through the slideshow and animations that describes the way possible vent locations are identified.

• How do these images compare with your original ideas for finding deep-sea vents?

The images from the tow-yo and the research vessel are amazing. Just by detecting the heat by the sawtooth pattern of the Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) package they were able to locate the plumes to find the vents. My initial thoughts to finding a vent were correct about sending down a vessel that detects temperature and can withstand the condition of the ocean.

• How do the physical characteristics of the vents make it possible for scientists to find them using the tow-yo?

Vents are very high in temperature, wide, and are located near to mid-ocean ridges. By descending the tow-yo the heat can be detected that makes it possible for scientists to find the vents.

• What happened on your first try? What helped you find the vent? What further information do you need?

On my first try I was not successful in finding a vent. Even though I found the temperature readings it still was not enough to locate the vent. I needed to know where the plume was and where the mid-ocean