Story: Marine minerals

Black smoker hydrothermal chimney (1st of 2)

Black smoker hydrothermal chimney

This cross-section of a black smoker chimney clearly shows its internal structure. The outermost part of the chimney is composed of silica, the grey portions mostly of zinc, and the yellowish interior mainly of copper. The chimney is made up of various minerals that have precipitated out of hot hydrothermal fluid as it mixed with sea water, slowly growing layer upon layer, outwards and upwards.

Using this item

GNS Science
Photograph by Cornel de Ronde

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ian Wright, 'Marine minerals - Nodules, crusts and vents', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5516/black-smoker-hydrothermal-chimney (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Ian Wright, published 12 Jun 2006