Diffuse Vents

Black Smokers, White Smokers, and Diffuse Vents: How to Tell the Deep Sea's Hydrothermal Vents Apart

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are classified into three main types: black smokers, white smokers, and diffuse vents, distinguished by their temperature, plume color, and chimney structure. Understanding these differences helps identify the unique geological and chemical processes occurring on the seafloor.