SINCE 1828
hydrothermal vent
nounDefinition of hydrothermal vent
: a fissure in the ocean floor especially at or near a mid-ocean ridge from which mineral-rich superheated water issues
Examples of hydrothermal vent in a Sentence
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On Earth, water gets pulled into the seafloor around the flanks of hydrothermal vents—seafloor springs that spew water at superhot temperatures—before being jettisoned back out from the vents themselves. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "Water on Europa—with a Pinch of Salt," 12 June 2019 This has triggered speculation that the world might harbor life, perhaps similar to Earth’s hydrothermal vents. — Julissa Treviño, Smithsonian, "Super Salty Lakes Found Deep Below Canadian Ice Cap," 16 Apr. 2018 The leading theory is that organisms could cling to hydrothermal vents near the core of Enceladus, similar to the vast ecosystems on the ocean floor of Earth that manage to survive while completely cut off from the energy of the sun. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Meet To Discuss Exploring Enceladus For Life," 28 June 2016 Tectonic activity at that depth can lead to the sporadic formation of hydrothermal vents, which leads to the introduction of chemosynthetic bacteria. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Plastic Bag Found at the Bottom of the Mariana Trench," 15 May 2018 At Earth's hydrothermal vents, bubbles rip organisms and organic material from the walls of water columns, mixing it in with waters closer to the surface of the ocean. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Meet To Discuss Exploring Enceladus For Life," 28 June 2016 Huge icy jets several hundreds of miles high erupt from the moon and are likely associated with hydrothermal vents in the moon's core. — Doyle Rice, ajc, "Ingredients for alien life found in icy geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus," 29 June 2018 Huge icy jets several hundreds of miles high erupt from the moon and are likely associated with hydrothermal vents in the moon's core. — Doyle Rice, ajc, "Ingredients for alien life found in icy geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus," 29 June 2018 Huge icy jets several hundreds of miles high erupt from the moon and are likely associated with hydrothermal vents in the moon's core. — Doyle Rice, ajc, "Ingredients for alien life found in icy geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus," 29 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrothermal vent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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