hydrothermal

adjective hy·dro·ther·mal \ ˌhī-drə-ˈthər-məl \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of hydrothermal

: of or relating to hot water —used especially of the formation of minerals by hot solutions rising from a cooling magma

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hydrothermally

play \ˌhī-drə-ˈthər-mə-lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of hydrothermal from the Web

This would be exciting because only two things make methane on Earth: hydrothermal systems and similar hot forms of geology; and microbes.

— The Economist, "Seasonal changes in Mars’s air are probably not signs of life. Probably," 7 June 2018
Explore the Hydrothermal Areas: Boiling pools, steam rising from the ground, bubbling mud pots – these are just some of the types of hydrothermal areas that can be found within Lassen Volcanic National Park.

— susan b. barnes, USA TODAY, "Lassen Volcanic National Park: 10 tips for your visit," 29 Apr. 2018
The surreal colors come from the sulphur, potash, and other minerals that saturate the Dallol hydrothermal field.

— laura mallonee, WIRED, "Unreal Views of the Trippy Colors in Ethiopia's Danakil Desert," 15 May 2018
The prevailing theory is the water comes directly from Europa's subsurface ocean and is being driven upward by hydrothermal activity much like that which powers geysers on Earth.

— sarah kaplan, courant.com, "Scientists discover new evidence for plumes on Europa, a target in the search for life," 14 May 2018
The prevailing theory is the water comes directly from Europa's subsurface ocean and is being driven upward by hydrothermal activity much like that which powers geysers on Earth.

— sarah kaplan, ajc, "Scientists discover new evidence for jets of water on Europa, a target in the search for life," 14 May 2018
Cassini showed that this ocean contains hydrothermal sites which could provide chemical energy, and that there are organic molecules in it.

— The Economist, "Saturn’s rings and several of its moons may be recent creations," 22 Mar. 2018
Elsewhere in Italy, some passengers soaked in local culture while enjoying hydrothermal treatments in centuries-old papal baths outside of Rome.

— andrew sessa, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Latest Cruise Trend Is All About Wellness," 19 Jan. 2018
There is significant evidence that these concentrations of hydrothermal activity did exist at one point on ancient Mars.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Martian Fossils Could Be Found Near Long-Buried Hydrothermal Vents," 26 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrothermal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.