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Hydrothermal Vents and Volcanoes

Most of the active volcanoes on Earth are located underwater. Most commonly occurring along tectonic spreading centers, submarine eruptions release molten rock from below the seafloor. On the other hand, hydrothermal vents are the result of sea water percolating down through fissures in the ocean crust near spreading centers or subduction zones. The cold seawater is heated by hot magma, and reemerges to form the vents. Despite being in areas with no light for sunlight-driven food production, extinct, and even mildly active, volcanoes and vent sites often support diverse communities of animals that have adapted to produce food using chemical energy, via a process known as chemosynthesis.

Choose from the sections below to further explore ocean exploration education resources on vents and volcanoes.

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Lessons

These selected ocean exploration lessons were developed by educators and scientists to demonstrate key vent and volcano concepts. Lessons support Next Generation Science Standards and the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts. (Note: The links provided in lessons are verified at the time of publication, but over time, may change or become obsolete.)

The image depicts a cluster of marine mussels and small crabs on the ocean floor. The mussels have oblong, dark brown shells with a yellowish tinge and rough textures, speckled with small organisms. Several mussels are partially open, revealing a bright, creamy interior. Scattered among the mussels are small, pale crabs with elongated limbs and detailed exoskeletons. The crabs are mostly atop the mussels, indicating interaction with the mollusks or simply traversing the area. The background consists of dark substrates, likely the ocean bed.
Fueling Life on Earth: Chemosynthesis versus Photosynthesis

Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Chemistry

Together, both photosynthesis and chemosynthesis fuel all life on Earth. In this activity, students analyze and compare the chemicals used by autotrophs to produce energy through chemosynthesis in the deep sea and through photosynthesis in order to construct an explanation for how life in hydrothermal vent environments and other environments transforms energy into stored energy.
An image of a hydrothermal vents.
Student Investigation: Using Chemistry to Find Vents

Grade Level: 6-8
Focus: Chemistry

Students collect and analyze data as evidence to explore the phenomenon: How do physical and chemical cues help scientists locate hydrothermal vents and other unique deep seafloor habitats?
Image of black smoker vent chimney.
Student Investigation: How Black Smoker Chimneys Form

Grade Level: 6-8
Focus: Geology/Chemistry

Students explore how a solid forms from the mixing of two liquids and use the science ideas they develop to help explain the phenomenon of how chimneys form at hydrothermal vents.
An image of a hydrothermal vent.
Student Investigation: Life on a Hydrothermal Vent

Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Life Science/Chemosynthesis

Students ask questions and identify patterns to investigate the phenomenon: How can ecosystems survive without sunlight?

Additional Hydrothermal Vents and Volcanoes Resources

Fact Sheets
Exploration Notes - Field Stories
Ocean Facts

These items are only a selection of the educational materials highlighting vents and volcanoes on our website.

For more lessons and background information explore the Deep Ocean Education Project Website.

Searching for something? Email us: oceanexeducation@noaa.gov