Asked by Jessica Stocker on May 30, 2024
Verified
The source of heat for the water emitted by black smokers at the mid-ocean ridges comes from:
A) magma
B) friction
C) radioactive decay
D) an unknown source
Black Smokers
Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor that emit dark clouds of mineral-rich water, typically found along mid-ocean ridges.
Radioactive Decay
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.
- Understand the source of heat for hydrothermal vents and the geological processes involved.
Verified Answer
FM
Frederick MaxeyJun 01, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
The heat for the water emitted by black smokers at mid-ocean ridges primarily comes from magma. These hydrothermal vents are located near areas of volcanic activity, where magma heats the surrounding seawater, causing it to circulate through the ocean crust and become superheated before being expelled into the ocean.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the source of heat for hydrothermal vents and the geological processes involved.