hydrothermal plumes

Hydrothermal plumes are large, hot, mineral-rich flows of water that emerge from deep-sea vents on the ocean floor. These vents, located near volcanic activity, release heated water filled with dissolved minerals and gases into the colder, surrounding ocean. As the hot fluids mix with the cold seawater, they create a buoyant, turbulent plume that spreads outward and upward. These plumes can influence surrounding ecosystems by providing nutrients, support unique deep-sea life, and affect ocean chemistry. They are crucial in understanding how Earth's internal processes impact ocean environments and contribute to mineral deposits on the seafloor.