Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents



When life took hold on the planet around four billion years ago, there was a vast network of hydrothermal vents, perhaps providing the geochemical energy to spawn and support life. There is now evidence that Earth was bombarded my meteors and asteroids; and the safest place to live may have been in the deep ocean. A deep sea mountain range, over 46,000 miles long known as the Mid-Ocean ridge system, marks where the great plates of the Earth's crust are spreading apart. All along this vast network, volcanic eruptions give birth to new ocean floor. Molten rock, deep under the sea bed, creates the scalding black smokers that stream from vents and chimneys. The both of a chimney starts when molten rock, deep below the sea beds, heats up water circulating through the cracks. The hot water rises, carrying dissolved metals such as iron, copper and zinc from deep within the crust. When this hot acidic fluid hits near freezing sea water, the metals come out of solution, creating the rocky walls of the chimney. Some of these chimneys are up to fifteen stories tall. The geology and chemistry of the vents have changed little. Although sunlight never reaches them, they are blanketed with life. Tiny single celled bacteria called microbes are able to produce food using hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals floating around the chimney. Like plants of the surface use the energy of sunlight, microbes use energy stored in chemicals to grow and multiply. Giant spider crabs, snails, sea stars, octopus and fish are all dependent on single-celled organisms, along with the volcanic fluids that flow from the rocks. This is a world where the energy for life springs not from the sun, but off the geothermal forces of the Earth itself. Within the chimneys, we may be able to find clues to how life itself was originated.

If you want to know more about deep sea hydrothermal vents, visit:

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/deep-sea-hydrothermal-vents/?ar_a=1

Lab #3 Top 2 Minerals

 Mineral:  Cinnabar 

Cinnabar (mercury sulfide) is the single most toxic mineral to handle on Earth. The name of the crystal means dragons blood, and it is the main ore of mercury. Forming near volcanos and sulfur deposits, the bright red crystals signal danger of the worst kind. Cinnabar may release pure mercury if disturbed or heated, causing tremors, loss of sensation and death. However, some ancient medical practitioners believed cinnabar held healing powers, and prescribed it for certain conditions.  

Link: http://listverse.com/2013/03/07/10-most-deadly-rocks-and-minerals/



  Mineral: Arsenopyrite

Arsenopyrite is arsenic iron sulfide, which is the same type of mineral as pyrite (fool’s gold, iron sulfide), but with a heavy addition of arsenic. If one attempts to heat or in any way alter the mineral, a strong garlic odor of arsenic will be produced as lethally toxic, corrosive and carcinogenic vapors are released. Just handling the mineral brings one into contact with unstable sulfuric arsenic salts. Interestingly, arsenopyrite may be identified by striking a specimen with a hammer. The powerful garlic odor of arsenic can be briefly detected as the sparks fly.

Link: http://listverse.com/2013/03/07/10-most-deadly-rocks-and-minerals/

Geology Lab #1

Stone Mountain. Red contour line represents elevation at 1,200 feet.

Geology Lab #2 MAPS

 CHLOROPLETH MAP: Presidential Election

• These maps  are typically used to indicate the average values of a property or quantity within a predefined area through the use different shading, coloring, or the placing of symbols.

 ISARITHMIC MAP: Georgia's Annual Precipitation

• These maps are typically used to represent data seta that have a "continuous distribution" and "smooth change in value". It uses a range of color color/value or related classes of color. Topographic maps are a subset of Isarithmic maps.

 DOT DENSITY MAP: People Living in the United States

• These maps are typically used to show the presence of a feature or a phenomenon, such as number of people or farms in an area. To do this, it uses a dot symbol. They rely on visual scatter to show spacial pattern.

 PROPORTIONAL SYMBOLS MAP: Total Murders per State in U.S.

• These maps scale the size of simple symbols (usually a circle or square) proportionally to the data value found at that location. The larger the symbol, the "more" of something exists at a location. It can be used for many categories. Total population per state (or the entire world) and total murders per state are just two examples of how proportional symbols maps can be used.

The red lines through the state of Georgia from top to bottom show Georgia's elevation at 900 feet, 700 feet, 400 feet, and 300 feet.