Hydrothermal vents at MOR (smokers), II
Circulation rates are high; one estimate has a volume equal to all the water in oceans moving through vent systems in 5-10 Ma
Vent circulation probably removes masses of Na+1, Mg+2, SO4-2 from sea water & adds Ca+2, Si+4, and K+1 to it
When hot water with high concentrations of dissolved solids enters the cold sea, minerals precipitate, causing water to look cloudy or smoky
Leads to white & black smokers