Ridges Under the Pacific Floor

¶ … ridges under the pacific floor that form a vital part of the oceanic ecosystem. Underneath these ridges lie what the article refers to as a "plumbing system," whose workings also contribute to the composition of aquatic life around it. Its process of heating and emitting water into the ocean provides a source of food for several life forms around it. The discovery of this process led to the further study of these system on the East Pacific Rise. Seismologists are working under 2,500 meters of water to create images of the systems underneath the ridges to gain a better understanding of its function and contribution to the earth's ecosystem.

What is interesting about the first images created in this way is that they have surprised the current expectations of such images by scientists.

So far, the assumption has been that the water pressure forces water down through large faults. This water is then heated by shallow volcanoes and rises again towards vents in the middle of the ridges. The actual images however show that the ridge has a very wide "chimney," through which the water descends. After this, the water runs through a tunnel above a magma chamber, and then bubbles back through the ridge vents. To create the images, the researchers planted seismometers around the ridge to locate miniature earthquakes. The quakes were found to cluster together, and to indicate the entrance of the cold water. The entrance of the cold water through the hot rocks is assumed to crack the rocks, which in turn causes the quakes.

An assumption also challenged by Maya Tolstoy and those working with her on the current study of the ocean floor is that the downflow occurs through significantly sized faults. Tolstoy however believes that a system of tiny cracks admit the water into the ridges. The water also moves much faster than had been previously assumed, according to the team's calculations. A further discovery is that there is very little life around the downflow chimney, but the vents contain a vast amount of life forms.

The contribution of these discoveries to the field is significant. It could for example contribute to a greater understanding of the origin of life on earth. Scientists for example can further study the creatures discovered around the vents for the purpose of such an understanding. Further implications relate to the cycle of heat and chemicals to the seafloor and the waters overlying it. In related disciplines, it is possible that many of the large ore bodies on land are believed to have been formed as a result of these vent systems.

This relates to a long-term interdisciplinary study funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. In addition to studying the vent system, ecosystem, and waters around the chimney, scientists are now also able to gain information relating to how earthquakes work.