|
Typically,
hydrothermal vents are found along spreading
centers or other areas of tectonic activity (Gage and Tyler). Though
abundant, hydothermal vents at spreading centers
are not
continuous and are thought to occur every kilometer or less (Crane and
Ballard
1980) or every 10km to 100 km (Crane et al. 1985).
Hydrothermal vents are closely associated
with other place of tectonic activity including subduction zones,
fracture
zones, and back arc basins (Gage and Tyler) .
Most
ocean crustal spreading centers are at 2.5 km depth. Subduction
zones, fracture zones, and back arc
basins occur at different depths ranging from a few hundred meters to 5
or 6
kilometers deep(Van Dover 20020) . Additionally, life is
concentrated within 100 meters of the hydrothermal vents (Gage and
Tyler 1990). |
