Mineral-laden water emerging from a hydrothermal vent
![Black smoke billows out of a crusty vent on the ocean floor.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/full_width/public/thumbnails/image/Mining1_Niua_sweet_footage2des.jpg?itok=ZM-71B-X)
Detailed Description
Mineral-laden water emerging from a hydrothermal vent on the Niua underwater volcano in the Lau Basin, southwest Pacific Ocean. As the water cools, minerals precipitate to form tower-like “chimneys.” Image taken during 2016 cruise “Virtual Vents.”
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.