black smoker
noun
: a vent in a geologically active region of the sea floor from which issues superheated water laden with minerals (such as sulfide precipitates)
also
: a rock chimney covering such a vent
Examples of black smoker in a Sentence
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Then, in the early 2000s, when China entered the global market and mineral prices skyrocketed again, Norwegian scientists mapping the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge discovered black smoker vents there, including the group known as Loki’s Castle.
—
Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
The ridge is covered with black smokers, tall and spindly hydrothermal vents that jut like chimneys and spout sulfurous, 300° C water from Earth's crust.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
Heated by the magma, the water rushes upward to escape in the kind of shimmering veil Corliss noticed or in turbulent black smokers.
—Peter Radetsky, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
But the anecdotes swapped between swigs of Busch beer, puffs of cigar smoke and ribbons of fragrant apple wood emanating from a gleaming black smoker reveal the revelers are inextricably bound by a narrative considered sacred in these parts: barbecue.
—Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
And getting so close to a black smoker was incredibly exciting.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2023
The top of a growing black smoker consists of calcium sulfate, or anhydrite.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Landing on the bottom, Alvin crushed a small black smoker chimney called Bambi.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The top of a black smoker is like a fire hydrant with the top knocked off.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2023
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Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
The ridge is covered with black smokers, tall and spindly hydrothermal vents that jut like chimneys and spout sulfurous, 300° C water from Earth's crust.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2011
Heated by the magma, the water rushes upward to escape in the kind of shimmering veil Corliss noticed or in turbulent black smokers.
—Peter Radetsky, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
But the anecdotes swapped between swigs of Busch beer, puffs of cigar smoke and ribbons of fragrant apple wood emanating from a gleaming black smoker reveal the revelers are inextricably bound by a narrative considered sacred in these parts: barbecue.
—Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
And getting so close to a black smoker was incredibly exciting.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2023
The top of a growing black smoker consists of calcium sulfate, or anhydrite.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Landing on the bottom, Alvin crushed a small black smoker chimney called Bambi.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The top of a black smoker is like a fire hydrant with the top knocked off.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 7 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Black smoker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20smoker. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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