Pescadero Basin: Deepest hydrothermal vents in the Gulf of California

During a recent expedition to the Gulf of California scientists from MBARI discovered a new field of hydrothermal vents, the deepest yet discovered in the Gulf of California. These new hydrothermal vent fields were found over thirty-eight hundred meters below the surface in the Pescadero Basin, located off the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California, about one hundred miles east of La Paz. These hydrothermal vents result from a unique combination of geology and chemistry. Using a remotely operated vehicle, researchers found towering white columns emitting geysers of clear shimmering liquid with temperatures up to 290 degrees Celsius. The superheated water flowing from these vents starts deep underground. As the hot water rises, it flows through and reacts with the surrounding bedrock, becoming saturated with carbonate minerals, which build up over time to form the large chimneys that were observed.

For more information go to MBARI news release:

[MASimonish]

Yes, incredible footage! I would love to watch the raw footage. This hidden world is just stunning.

[MRptwrench]

I was always fascinated by the black smokers of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge since learning of their discovery as a youth. Now I'm amazed that they've found both the black smokers and the white chimneys in the Gulf of California. West Coast is spoiled!

[cv]

dönt wörry well even mäss that playce up v v

[csmaster]

We should mine the smokers for minerals.

[NiallBradley]

Earth to scientists, are you reading me? This is where all the CO2 and heat is coming from.