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A thermodynamic explanation for black smoker temperatures
1Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK. tim@itg.cam.ac.uk
Nature
|March 8, 2000
Summary
The nonlinear thermodynamic properties of water naturally create 400°C plumes from hotter seafloor heat sources. This explains black smoker temperatures and predicts stable vent conditions during magma cooling.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Hydrothermal Systems
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Black smoker effluent temperatures (350°C-400°C) are significantly lower than the ~1,200°C solidifying magma source.
- Nonlinear thermodynamic properties of water have been hypothesized to explain this temperature discrepancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a physical model explaining the temperature difference between black smoker effluent and magma.
- To investigate the role of water's thermodynamic properties in seafloor hydrothermal systems.
Main Methods:
- Examined the internal temperature structure of convection cells in a porous medium.
- Developed an analytical model based on water's thermodynamic properties.
- Utilized numerical simulations to illustrate the phenomenon.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the natural formation of pure water plumes at ~400°C from heat sources >500°C under seafloor crust pressures.
- Identified that higher temperatures are confined to a horizontal boundary layer at the convection cell base.
- The model analytically explains the temperature regulation based on water's thermodynamic properties.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a physical explanation for the observed temperature difference in black smoker systems.
- The model predicts the existence of high-temperature 'reaction zones' in ophiolites.
- Vent temperatures are predicted to remain stable as magma chambers cool and solidify.
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