vents in the Mid-Ocean Ridge

Vents in the Mid-Ocean Ridge are openings on the ocean floor where heated, mineral-rich water escapes from beneath the Earth's crust. These hydrothermal vents form along underwater mountain ranges where tectonic plates are spreading apart. As magma rises, it heats surrounding water, which then rises through cracks and vents. These environments support unique ecosystems with specially adapted creatures that thrive in extreme conditions, relying on chemicals rather than sunlight for energy. Hydrothermal vents are key to understanding geological processes and the origins of some life forms, highlighting the dynamic activity occurring beneath the ocean’s surface.