Ecuador
The Deep Sea Vents off of the coast of Ecuador are one of the great spectacles of nature. Those who dive here can witness one of the world’s best underwater geysers, where geological forces similar to those found at land geysers churn heat and minerals into the ocean from deep below. While there are many such vents in oceans around the world, the Ecuador Deep Sea Vents are the most extensive and most spectacular, if difficult to reach.
An undersea expedition first discovered the Ecuador Deep Sea Vents in 1977. These were the first truly major vents to be discovered. Along with the nearby underwater world of the Galapagos Islands, the vents are among the most extensively studied undersea features in the world.
The Ecuador Deep Sea Vents are spread out over a wide area near the fault between the Nazca and Cocos tectonic plates. Most are located at a depth of around eight thousand feet. The area around the vents is extremely rich in minerals and marine life. It has been suggested that life on Earth began at a vent system similar to these.
The Ecuador Deep Sea Vents are located between the Pacific Coast of South America and the Galapagos Islands. Not surprisingly, the area is popular with divers and explorers, though few can afford the extensive equipment required to actually visit the immediate vicinity of the vents. Web: N/A.
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