Unit 7 Chapter 9 Flashcard

Front

How do hydrothermal vents form?

Back

Cold seawater sinks through cracks, heats near magma, and returns as hot water.

Front

What type of animals might live near hydrothermal vents?

Back

Pale shrimp, giant tube worms, and white crabs.

Front

What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Back

A long, underwater mountain range where tectonic plates are moving apart.

Front

Why does the water coming out of hydrothermal vents look like smoke?

Back

Minerals in the hot water form tiny particles when they meet cold seawater.

Front

What did scientists learn about seafloor spreading from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Back

Continents are pushed farther apart as the seafloor spreads.

Front

What is a hydrothermal vent?

Back

An opening in the sea floor that emits hot, mineral-rich water.

Front

What role do hydrothermal vents play in ocean ecosystems?

Back

They provide nutrients and energy for unique organisms that thrive in extreme conditions.

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

The process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is magma?

Back

Molten rock located beneath the Earth's surface.