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Chinese Sub Finds "black smokers" in Indian Ocean

Feb 11, 2015

 

[video:20150207-Chinese sub finds black smokers in Indian Ocean]

China's deep sea submersible, the Jiaolong, has discovered an area of hydrothermal vents during its scientific research journey 2,800 meters underwater somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

At this depth in the ocean, minerals like sulfur, copper, and iron are transferred from the oceanic crust into the water. Then the metal-rich water is heated by the lava and gushes through the cracks, forming hydrothermal vents. As the hot water escapes from the vents and comes in contact with the near-freezing water on the ocean bed, the metals quickly solidify back out of their solution.

The result is surging clouds of particle-rich water called "black smokers".

To learn about the environment and resources of this mining area, Jiaolong has placed a high temperature probe near the vents, and will return to the area for a more complete survey. (CCTV.com)

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