Image
Smoke Stack
February 17, 2008A mechanical arm on the Alvin submersible reaches out for a sample from a “black smoker” hydrothermal vent along the East Pacific Rise. Black smokers are so named because they can appear as if dark smoke is billowing from them. In fact, the “smoke” is actually iron- and sulfur-rich minerals precipitating from scalding vent waters as hot as 760°F meet the icy cold depths. (Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives)
Image and Visual Licensing
WHOI copyright digital assets (stills and video) contained on this website can be licensed for non-commercial use upon request and approval. Please contact WHOI Digital Assets at images@whoi.edu or (508) 289-2647.