A hydrothermal vent is an opening in the seabed of the Earth by which geothermal energy escapes. Sea water enters, becomes very hot, and rises. The hottest ones carry many black chemicals, and are called black smokers. Scientists have found fewer white smokers. Heat escapes from underground in many places. If they are on land, they are usually hot springs, geysers, or fumaroles. Many archaea and bacteria live near hydrothermal vents. They support giant tube worms, clams and shrimp, and many other eukaryotes. The earliest known life forms are thought to have lived near such vents.
Hydrothermal vent
Questions and Answers
Q: What is a hydrothermal vent?
A: A hydrothermal vent is an opening in the seabed of the Earth by which geothermal energy escapes.
Q: What happens when sea water enters a hydrothermal vent?
A: Sea water enters a hydrothermal vent, becomes very hot, and rises.
Q: What are black smokers?
A: The hottest vents carry many black chemicals and are called black smokers.
Q: What are white smokers?
A: Scientists have found fewer white smokers than black smokers.
Q: What other geothermal features are found on land?
A: If geothermal features are on land, they are usually hot springs, geysers, or fumaroles.
Q: What organisms live near hydrothermal vents?
A: Many archaea and bacteria live near hydrothermal vents, which support giant tube worms, clams and shrimp, and many other eukaryotes.
Q: What do scientists believe about the earliest known life forms?
A: Scientists believe that the earliest known life forms are thought to have lived near hydrothermal vents.