Hydrothermal Systems: Secrets of the Deep Ocean?

Authors

Keywords:

hydrothermal systems, submarine vents, extreme ecosystems, marine mineralization, ocean life

Abstract

Submarine hydrothermal systems are manifestations of the Earth’s internal heat that primarily occur at divergent and convergent boundaries, as well as transform faults. They are characterized by vents of various shapes and compositions, which expel fluids at temperatures exceeding 400°C. These extreme environments provide opportunities to explore key processes such as the origin of life, ocean acidification, and unique geological and chemical dynamics. Additionally, they host exclusive species uniquely adapted to these conditions. This article introduces the main aspects of submarine hydrothermal systems, highlighting their scientific and ecological significance.

Author Biography

María Carolina Rodríguez-Uribe, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.

Mathematics Professor assigned to the Department of Exact Sciences of the Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta campus. Industrial Engineer, with a Master of Science in Geophysics and a PhD in Sciences in Biosystematics, Ecology and Management of Natural and Agricultural Resources. I teach classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels, mainly in Differential and Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, Geothermal Energy and Quantitative Methods. In research I am focused on the study of shallow submarine hydrothermal systems, particularly the study of the Punta Mita Shallow-water Hydrothermal System, located in Banderas Bay, Mexico.

References

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Published

2025-01-14

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 1 (2025): De lo científico a lo social: el conocimiento como cambio cultural

Section

Varietas

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